U.S. patent application number 12/106029 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for method for grouping a plurality of growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale based on testing of each individual seed.
This patent application is currently assigned to BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY. Invention is credited to Robert Conrad.
Application Number | 20090260281 12/106029 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41199410 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090260281 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Conrad; Robert |
October 22, 2009 |
METHOD FOR GROUPING A PLURALITY OF GROWTH-INDUCED SEEDS FOR
COMMERCIAL USE OR SALE BASED ON TESTING OF EACH INDIVIDUAL SEED
Abstract
A method and system for producing a group of growth-induced
seeds for commercial use or sale, the method including monitoring a
physiological indication and/or morphometric indication for a seed,
automatically determining if the monitored seed has a specific
characteristic, separating the monitored seed having the specific
characteristic into a group of seeds for commercial use or sale so
that each and every seed in the group has been monitored and
determined to have the specific characteristic.
Inventors: |
Conrad; Robert; (Wheaton,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
233 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, 6300 SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606-6357
US
|
Assignee: |
BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY
West Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
41199410 |
Appl. No.: |
12/106029 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C 1/025 20130101;
G06T 2207/30128 20130101; G06T 7/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
47/14 |
International
Class: |
A01C 1/00 20060101
A01C001/00 |
Claims
1. A method in a computer system for producing a group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale, the method
comprising: subjecting a seed to a growth-inducing procedure;
monitoring the seed for a development stage associated with a
specific characteristic; automatically determining if the monitored
seed has the specific characteristic based on information about the
monitored development stage of the seed; and separating the seed
having the specific characteristic into the group of growth-induced
seeds for commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the
group has been monitored and determined to have the specific
characteristic.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring and the
determining are each performed repeatedly for each of the subjected
seeds.
3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising sorting at
least a portion of the group of germinated seeds for commercial use
or sale in one or more of a group including a package, a plurality
of germinated seeds, a plurality of seedlings, a plurality of young
plants, a well plate including a plurality of germinated seeds, a
seedling growing tray including a plurality of seedlings, a
plurality of cells of a seedling growing tray, and a plurality of
plugs.
4. A method according to claim 2, wherein commercial use or sale
includes one or more of a group including planting, seeding,
growing in pots, growing in trays, growing in cells, sowing outside
in a field, sowing into synthetic media, arms length transfer, and
sale.
5. A method according to claim 2, further comprising sorting at
least a portion of the group of germinated seeds for commercial use
or sale as a group of germinated seeds where each seed has reached
a similar development stage with respect to the other seeds of the
portion.
6. A method according to claim 2, wherein monitoring for the
development stage includes monitoring for a metabolic signal
associated with the specific characteristic.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein monitoring for the
metabolic signal comprises monitoring for one or more of a group
including gas production, gas absorption, enzyme activity, a
breakdown product of seed storage materials, a sugar measurement,
and a cellular breakdown.
8. A method according to claim 6, wherein monitoring for the
metabolic signal comprises monitoring for oxygen consumption.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring for oxygen
consumption comprises one or more of a group including determining
fluorescence quenching and determining chemoluminescence.
10. A method according to claim 6, wherein monitoring for the
metabolic signal comprises monitoring for photosynthetic
activity.
11. A method according to claim 6, wherein monitoring for the
metabolic signal comprises monitoring for enzyme activity of one or
more of a group including lipase, esterase, and alpha amylase.
12. A method according to claim 2, wherein the determining if the
monitored seed has a specific characteristic comprises first
monitoring the development stage for each and every seed in a first
group of seeds; and generating a result-based comparator, based on
a result of the first monitoring, to use in determining if the
monitored seed has the specific characteristic.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein generating the
result-based comparator includes one or more of a group including
applying a genetic algorithm, applying statistical analysis,
applying population statistics, applying fuzzy logic techniques,
applying multi-variant regression techniques, and determining the
best correlation between the specific characteristic and the first
monitoring of the physiological indication for each and every
individual seed in the first group.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the result-based
comparator is a value, a range, or a requirement associated with
the specific characteristic.
15. A method according to claim 2, wherein the automatically
determining includes evaluating the monitored information based on
a comparator, wherein the comparator is a value, a range, or a
requirement associated with the specific characteristic.
16. A method according to claim 2, wherein monitoring for the
development stage includes monitoring for one or more of a group
including a physiological indicator, a morphometric indicator, a
combination of a physiological indicator and a morphometric
indicator, a combination of a plurality of physiological
indicators, a combination of a plurality of metamorphic indicators,
and a combination of a plurality of physiological indicators and a
plurality of morphometric indicators.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein monitoring for the
combination of the physiological indicator and the morphometric
indicator, is done at one of substantially the same time or at
different times.
18. A method according to claim 16, wherein monitoring for the
combination of the plurality of physiological indicators, is done
at one of substantially the same time or at different times.
19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the monitoring for the
combination of the plurality of metamorphic indicators, is done at
one of substantially the same time or at different times.
20. A method according to claim 16, wherein the monitoring for the
combination of the plurality of physiological indicators and the
plurality of morphometric indicators, is done at one of
substantially the same time or at different times.
21. A method according to claim 2, wherein monitoring for the
morphometric indicator comprises monitoring for any growth stage of
a growth-induced seed including imbibing of the seed to a young
plant development stage.
22. A method according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring for the
morphometric indicator comprises taking spectral images of
morphometric information of the subjected seed.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein monitoring for the
morphometric indicator comprises monitoring for one or more of a
group including a root, a stem, a hypocotyl, a cotyledon, branching
of roots, cracking of shedding of the seed coat, unfolding of the
leaves wherein the angle of openness of cotyledons is 0 to
180.degree. in relation to the growing surface of a single
growth-induced seed, and any parts thereof.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the determining if the
monitored seed has a specific characteristic comprises comparing
the morphometric information with one or more of a group including
a value related to morphometric development associated with the
specific characteristic and a specific spectral image of
morphometric development associated with the specific
characteristic.
25. A method according to claim 2, further comprising stopping the
growth-induced seed from further subjection to the growth-inducing
procedure.
26. A method according to claim 25, further comprising subjecting
the seed to one or more of a group including a temperature, a
growth regulator, and drying.
27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the temperature is in
the range of 0 to 5.degree. C.
28. A method according to claim 26, wherein the growth regulator is
one or more of a group including ancymidol, chlormequat chloride,
daminozide, paclobutrazol, and uniconazole.
29. A method according to claim 2, where the development stage is a
particular rate of development toward the specific
characteristic.
30. A method according to claim 28, further comprising adjusting
the rate of development of the seed.
31. A method according to claim 2, wherein the information about
the development stage is further compared to a range or a
requirement associated with the specific characteristic.
32. A method according to claim 2, wherein the specific
characteristic is an ability to germinate under specific
environmental conditions or stresses.
33. A method in a computer system for producing a group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale, the method
comprising: subjecting a seed to a growth-inducing procedure;
monitoring the subjected seed for a rate of development toward a
specific characteristic, indicated by one or more of a group
including: a physiological indicator associated with the specific
characteristic and a morphometric indicator associated with the
specific characteristic; determining whether the seed has a
specific rate of development toward the specific characteristic;
stopping subjecting the seed to the growth-inducing procedure when
the specific rate of development is achieved; preserving the seed
determined as having the specific rate of development; and
separating the seed determined as having the specific rate of
development into the group of growth-induced seeds for commercial
use or sale so that every seed of the group has been monitored and
determined to have a rate of development similar to the specific
rate of development.
34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the specific
characteristic is a plurality of characteristics and the rate of
development toward the specific characteristic includes a plurality
of rates which correspond to the plurality of characteristics.
35. A method in a computer system for producing a group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale, the method
comprising: acquiring a spectral image of the growth-induced seed
growing in a location; comparing the spectral image with
classification data; assigning a classification to the
growth-induced seed according to one or more of a plurality of
parts associated with the growth-induced seed; determining a part
location of the one or more of the plurality of parts of the
growth-induced seed based on the classification; measuring the one
or more of the plurality of parts of the growth-induced seed;
measuring photosynthetic activity of the growth-induced seed; and
determining whether to separate the growth-induced seed into the
group of growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale based on
the measurement of the one or more of the group including: at least
the measurement of the part of the growth-induced seed and the
photosynthetic activity measurement.
36. A method according to claim 35, further comprising determining
the location of the growth-induced seed to be separated.
37. A method according to claim 35, further comprising harvesting
the growth-induced seed determined to be separate and placing the
harvested growth-induced seed in a target location.
38. A system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system comprising: a subjecting unit
configured to subject a seed to a growth-inducing procedure; an
monitoring unit configured to monitor the seed for a development
stage associated with a specific characteristic; a determination
unit configured to determine if the monitored seed has the specific
characteristic based on information about the monitored development
stage of the seed; and a separator unit configured to separate the
monitored seed having the specific characteristic into the group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale so that each and
every seed in the group has been monitored and determined to have
the specific characteristic.
39. A system according to claim 38, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to repeatedly monitor the subjected seed and the
determination unit is configured to repeatedly determine if the
monitored seed has the specific characteristic.
40. A system according to claim 39, further comprising a sorting
unit configured to sort at least a portion of the group of
germinated seeds for commercial use or sale in one or more of a
group including: a package, a plurality of germinated seeds, a
plurality of seedlings, a plurality of young plants, a well plate
including a plurality of germinated seeds, a seedling growing tray
including a plurality of seedlings, a plurality of cells of a
seedling growing tray, and a plurality of plugs.
41. A system according to claim 39, wherein commercial use or sale
includes one or more of a group including planting, seeding,
growing in pots, growing in trays, growing in cells, sowing outside
in a field, sowing into synthetic media, arms length transfer, and
sale.
42. A system according to claim 39, further comprising a sorting
unit configured to package at least a portion of the group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale as a group of
growth-induced seeds where each seed has reached a similar
development stage with respect to the other seeds of the
portion.
43. A system according to claim 39, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor for a metabolic signal associated with the
specific characteristic.
44. A system according to claim 43, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor for the metabolic signal comprising one or
more of a group including gas production, gas absorption, enzyme
activity, a breakdown product of seed storage materials, a sugar
measurement, and a cellular breakdown.
45. A system according to claim 43, wherein the metabolic signal
includes oxygen consumption.
46. A system according to claim 45, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor for the oxygen consumption via one or more of
a group including a fluorescence quenching unit and a
chemoluminescence determining unit.
47. A system according to claim 43, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor for photosynthetic activity.
48. A system according to claim 43, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor for enzyme activity including one or more of
a group including lipase, esterase, and alpha amylase.
49. A system according to claim 39, wherein the determination unit
includes a first monitoring unit configured to monitor a
development stage associated with the specific characteristic for
each and every seed in a first group of seeds; and a result-based
comparator generator configured to generate a result-based
comparator based on a result of the first monitoring unit, for use
by the determination unit to determine if the monitored seed has
the specific characteristic.
50. A system according to claim 49, wherein the result-based
comparator generator is configured to use one or more of a group
including a genetic algorithm, statistical analysis, population
statistics, fuzzy logic, multi-variant regression techniques, and a
correlator configured to determine the best correlation between the
specific characteristic and the results of the first monitoring
unit.
51. A system according to claim 50, wherein the result-based
comparator is a value, a range, or a requirement associated with
the specific characteristic.
52. A system according to claim 39, wherein the determination unit
includes is further configured to evaluate the monitored
information based on a comparator, wherein the comparator is a
value, a range, or a requirement associated with the specific
characteristic.
53. A system according to claim 39, wherein the development stage
includes one or more of a group including a physiological
indicator, a morphometric indicator, a combination of a
physiological indicator and a morphometric indicator, a combination
of a plurality of physiological indicators, a combination of a
plurality of metamorphic indicators, and a combination of a
plurality of physiological indicators and a plurality of
morphometric indicators.
54. A system according to claim 53, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor the combination of the physiological
indicator and the morphometric indicator, at one of substantially
the same time or at different times.
55. A system according to claim 53, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor the combination of the plurality of
physiological indicators, at one of substantially the same time or
at different times.
56. A system according to claim 53, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor the combination of the plurality of
metamorphic indicators, at one of substantially the same time or at
different times.
57. A system according to claim 53, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor the combination of the plurality of
physiological indicators and the plurality of morphometric
indicators, at one of substantially the same time or at different
times.
58. A system according to claim 39, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor for the morphometric indicator by monitoring
for any germination stage of a seed coat opening stage to a
seedling development stage.
59. A system according to claim 39, wherein the monitoring unit
includes a spectral image detector configured to take spectral
images of morphometric information of the subjected seed.
60. A system according to claim 59, wherein the monitoring unit is
configured to monitor for the morphometric indicator comprises
monitoring for one or more of a group including a root, a stem, a
hypocotyl, a cotyledon, branching of roots, shedding of the seed
coat, unfolding of the wherein the angle of openness of cotyledons
is 0 to 180.degree. in relation to the growing surface of a single
growth-induced seed, and any parts thereof.
61. A system according to claim 60, wherein the spectral image
detector is configured to compare the morphometric information with
one or more of a group including a value related to morphometric
development associated with the specific characteristic and a
specific spectral image of morphometric development associated with
the specific characteristic.
62. A system according to claim 39, wherein the subjecting unit is
configured to stop subjecting the seed to the growth-inducing
procedure when the monitored seed is determined to have the
specific characteristic.
63. A system according to claim 62, wherein the subjecting unit
includes one or more of a group including a temperature regulator
unit, a growth regulator unit, and drying.
64. A system according to claim 63, wherein the temperature
regulator is configured to subject the seed to a temperature in the
range of 0 to 5.degree. C.
65. A system according to claim 63, wherein the growth regulator
unit is configured to administer one or more of a group including
ancymidol, chlormequat chloride, daminozide, paclobutrazol, and
uniconazole.
66. A system according to claim 39, where the development stage is
a particular rate of development toward the specific
characteristic.
67. A system according to claim 66, further comprising an adjuster
configured to adjust the rate of development of the seed.
68. A system according to claim 39, where the wherein determination
unit is configured to compare the information about the development
stage is to a range or a requirement associated with the specific
characteristic.
69. A system according to claim 39, where the specific
characteristic is an ability to germinate under specific
environmental conditions or stresses.
70. A system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system comprising: a subjecting unit
configured to subject a seed to a growth-inducing procedure; a
monitoring unit configured to monitor the subjected seed for a rate
of development toward a specific characteristic, indicated by one
or more of a group including: a physiological indicator associated
with the specific characteristic and a morphometric indicator
associated with the specific characteristic; a determining unit
configured to determine if the rate of development toward the
specific characteristic is a specific rate of development toward
the specific characteristic; a stopping unit configured to stop the
subjected seed from further growth when the specific rate of
development toward the specific characteristic is achieved; a
separator unit configured to separate the seed determined as having
the specific rate of development into the group of growth-induced
seeds for commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the
group has been monitored and determine to have a rate of
development similar to the specific rate of development.
71. A method according to claim 70, wherein the specific
characteristic is a plurality of characteristics and the rate of
development toward the specific characteristic includes a plurality
of rates which correspond to the plurality of characteristics.
72. A system for producing a group of germinated seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system comprising: a spectral image
acquiring unit configured to acquire a spectral image of the seed
growing in a location; an image comparison unit configured to
compare the spectral image with classification data; a
classification assignment unit configured to assign a
classification to the growing growth-induced seed according to one
or more of a plurality of parts associated with the growing
growth-induced seed; a seed part location determination unit
configured to determine a part location of one or more of a
plurality of parts associated with the growing growth-induced seed;
a measuring unit configured to measure one or more of a plurality
of parts associated with the growing growth-induced seed; a
photosynthesis measuring unit configured to measure photosynthetic
activity of the growing growth-induced seed; and a determination
unit configured to determine whether to separate the growth-induced
seed into the group of growth-induced seeds for commercial use or
sale based on the measurement of the one or more of the group
including: at least the measurement of the part of the
growth-induced seed and the photosynthetic activity
measurement.
73. A system according to claim 72, further comprising a location
determination unit configured to identify the location of the
growth-induced seed to be separated.
74. A system according to claim 72, further comprising a harvesting
unit configured to use the location information of the growing
growth-induced seed, and configured to harvest the growing
growth-induced seed, and configured to place the harvested seed in
a target location
75. A system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system comprising: means for subjecting
a seed to a growth-inducing environment; means for monitoring the
seed for a development stage associated with a specific
characteristic; means for automatically determining if the
monitored seed has a specific characteristic based on information
about the monitored development stage of the seed; and means for
separating the seed having the specific characteristic into the
group for commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the
group has been monitored and determined to have the specific
characteristic.
76. A system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system comprising: means for subjecting
a seed to a growth-inducing procedure; means for monitoring the
subjected seed for a rate of development toward a specific
characteristic, indicated by one or more of a group including: a
physiological indicator associated with the specific characteristic
and a morphometric indicator associated with the specific
characteristic; means for determining if the rate of development is
a specific rate of development toward the specific characteristic;
means for stopping subjecting the seed from more subjecting of the
growth-inducing procedure when the specific rate of development is
achieved; means for preserving the seed determined as having the
specific rate of development; and means for separating the seed
determined as having the specific rate of development toward the
specific characteristic into the group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the group has
been monitored and determined to have a rate of development similar
to the specific rate of development.
77. A system for determining whether to harvest a growth-induced
seed to be part of a group of germinated seeds for commercial use
or sale, the system comprising: means for acquiring a spectral
image of the growth-induced seed growing in a location; means for
comparing the spectral image with classification data; means for
assigning a classification to the growth-induced seed according to
one or more of a plurality of parts associated with the growing
growth-induced seed; means for determining a part location of the
one or more of the plurality of parts of the growth-induced seed
based on the classification; means for measuring the one or more of
the plurality of parts of the growth-induced seed; means for
measuring photosynthetic activity of the growth-induced seed; means
for determining whether to harvest the growth-induced seed based on
the measurement of the one or more of the group including: at least
the measurement of the part of the growth-induced seed and the
photosynthetic activity measurement.
Description
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0001] This disclosure relates to a method and system used in the
production of a separated group of growth-induced seeds each having
a specific characteristic, for later commercial use or sale. Such
specific characteristic is determined by the seed market.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Seed groups or packages are used or sold based on the
estimated quality or any other marketable specific characteristic
of the seed group. The background art identifies a seed group as
having a specific characteristic by testing a sample of the seed
group and using the results obtained from the tested sample to
identify the entire seed group with respect to that specific
characteristic. For example, one type of specific characteristic
which can be used to label a seed group is the vigor rating of the
seed group. The vigor rating informs potential buyers how vigorous
the seeds in the package are expected to be. The way of determining
how vigorous the seed group or package is may be determined by
testing a sample group from the seed group for a specific vigor
indication such as germination. The sample group may be tested for
vigor by testing each seed in the sample group for germination by
measuring the seed's oxygen consumption at a specific time.
According to the background art, the test results, based on the
measured oxygen consumption of the sample group of seeds, are used
to identify the vigor rating of the entire seed group from which
the sample group was taken. Packages of seeds coming from the same
group are then classified as having the same vigor rating.
[0003] More generally, a seed group may be classified using this
method of classification for any type of desired seed
classification which is based on testing for a specific
characteristic desired by the seed market. Various methods exist
which describe sampling a seed group for a specific characteristic
to classify the entire seed group as having some classification
level of the specific characteristic based on the tested sample
group. Background art also describes sorting individual seeds based
on their color, weight, or shape. However, nowhere in the
background art is it known to analyze each and every seed after it
has been imbibed or began to grow for an entire seed group, e.g.
amounting to tens of thousands or millions of growth-induced seeds,
for a specific characteristic in order to determine whether an
individual seed subjected to a growth-inducing environment will be
separated and transferred to be a part of a grouping of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale where every seed in
the grouping or package has been subjected to growth and monitored
and determined for a specific characteristic, and thus, can be
marketed as such.
[0004] Background art also teaches sowing all the seeds of a group
of seeds into a plant growing tray. After some time, the background
art uses image analysis to identify which cells in the plant tray
do not have good quality plants by monitoring for the leaves of the
plant tray. The background art takes only an instantaneous image or
one-time snapshot of the plant tray so that plant leaf growth per
cell of the tray can be evaluated. A gap in the image is defined as
an indication that a particular cell or cells in the plant tray
contain a poor quality plant and need replacement. After such a
determination, the background art removes the existing plant or
lack thereof from that particular cell of the tray and places in
that cell location an adequately growing plant. Background art does
not provide analysis of a plant before the leafing stage starts.
Also, the background art does not identify seeds that are more
likely to germinate or seedlings that have germinated before
placing the seed or seedling (or as used herein the broader term
"germinated seed") in a cell of the tray. Such an earlier
indication produces a better product to come to market sooner.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] A method in a computer system for producing a group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale, the method
including subjecting each and every seed of a seed group to a
growth-inducing procedure; monitoring the seed for a development
stage associated with a specific characteristic; automatically
determining if the monitored seed has the specific characteristic
based on information about the monitored development stage of the
seed; and separating the seed having the specific characteristic
into the group of growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale
so that each and every seed in the group has been monitored and
determined to have the specific characteristic.
[0006] A method in a computer system for producing a group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale, the method
including subjecting a seed to a growth-inducing procedure;
monitoring the subjected seed for a rate of development toward a
specific characteristic, indicated by one or more of a group
including: a physiological indicator associated with the specific
characteristic and a morphometric indicator associated with the
specific characteristic; determining whether the seed has a
specific rate of development toward the specific characteristic is
achieved; stopping subjecting the seed to the growth-inducing
procedure when the specific rate of development; preserving the
seed determined as having the specific rate of development; and
separating the seed determined as having the specific rate of
development into the group of growth-induced seeds for commercial
use or sale so that every seed of the group has been monitored and
determined to have a rate of development similar to the specific
rate of development.
[0007] A method in a computer system for producing a group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale, the method
including acquiring a spectral image of a growth-induced seed
growing in a location; comparing the spectral image with
classification data; assigning a classification to the
growth-induced seed according to one or more of a plurality of
parts associated with the growing growth-induced seed; determining
a part location of the one or more of the plurality of parts of the
growth-induced seed based on the classification; measuring the one
or more of the plurality of parts of the growth-induced seed;
measuring photosynthetic activity of the growth-induced seed; and
determining whether to harvest the growth-induced seed based on one
or more of the group including: at least the measurement of the
part of the growth-induced seed and the photosynthetic activity
measurement.
[0008] A system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system including a subjecting unit
configured to subject each and every seed of a seed group to a
growth-inducing procedure; an monitoring unit configured to monitor
the seed for a development stage associated with a specific
characteristic; a determination unit configured to determine if the
monitored seed has the specific characteristic based information
about the monitored development stage of the seed; a separator unit
configured to separate the monitored seed having the specific
characteristic into the group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the group has
been monitored and determined to have the specific
characteristic.
[0009] A system for producing a group of germinated growth-induced
seeds for commercial use or sale, the system including a subjecting
unit configured to subject a seed to a growth-inducing procedure; a
monitoring unit configured to monitor the subjected seed for a rate
of development toward a specific characteristic, indicated by one
or more of a group including: a physiological indicator associated
with the specific characteristic and a morphometric indicator
associated with the specific characteristic; a determining unit
configured to determine if the rate of development toward the
specific characteristic is a specific rate of development toward
the specific characteristic; a stopping unit configured to stop the
subjected seed from further growth when the specific rate of
development toward the specific characteristic is achieved; a
separator unit configured to separate the seed determined as having
the specific rate of development into the group of growth-induced
seeds for commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the
group has been monitored and determined to have a rate of
development similar to the specific rate of development.
[0010] A system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system including a spectral image
acquiring unit configured to acquire a spectral image of a seed
growing in a location; an image comparison unit configured to
compare the spectral image with classification data; a
classification assignment unit configured to assign a
classification to the growing growth-induced seed according to one
or more of a plurality of parts associated with the growing
growth-induced seed; a seed part location determination unit
configured to determine a part location of one or more of a
plurality of parts associated with the growing growth-induced seed;
a measuring unit configured to measure one or more of a plurality
of parts associated with the growing growth-induced seed; a
photosynthesis measuring unit configured to measure photosynthetic
activity of the growing growth-induced seed; a determination unit
configured to determine whether to harvest the growth-induced seed
based on the measurement of the one or more of the group including:
at least the measurement of the part of the growth-induced seed and
the photosynthetic activity measurement.
[0011] A system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system including means for subjecting
each and every seed of a seed group to a growth-inducing
environment; means for monitoring the seed for a development stage
associated with a specific characteristic; means for automatically
determining if the monitored seed has a specific characteristic
based on information about the monitored development stage of the
seed; means for separating the seeds having the specific
characteristic into a group of monitored seeds; and means for
transferring at least a portion of a plurality of separated seeds
into the group of growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale
so that each and every seed in the group has been monitored and
determined to have the specific characteristic.
[0012] A system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system including means for subjecting a
seed to a growth-inducing procedure; means for monitoring the
subjected seed for a rate of development toward a specific
characteristic, indicated by one or more of a group including: a
physiological indicator associated with the specific characteristic
and a morphometric indicator associated with the specific
characteristic; means for determining if the rate of development is
a specific rate of development toward the specific characteristic;
means for stopping subjecting the seed from more subjecting of the
growth-inducing procedure when the specific rate of development is
achieved; means for preserving the seed determined as having the
specific rate of development; and means for separating the seed
determined as having the specific rate of development toward the
specific characteristic into the group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the group has
been monitored and determined to have a rate of development similar
to the specific rate of development.
[0013] A system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale, the system including means for acquiring a
spectral image of a growth-induced seed growing in a location;
means for comparing the spectral image with classification data;
means for assigning a classification to the growth-induced seed
according to one or more of a plurality of parts associated with
the growing growth-induced seed; means for determining a part
location of the one or more of the plurality of parts of the
growth-induced seed based on the classification; means for
measuring the one or more of the plurality of parts of the
growth-induced seed; means for measuring photosynthetic activity of
the growth-induced seed; means for determining whether to harvest
the growth-induced seed based on the measurement of the one or more
of the group including: at least the measurement of the part of the
growth-induced seed and the photosynthetic activity
measurement.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1A is a flow diagram of a method used by the background
art to classify a package of seeds for commercial sale;
[0015] FIG. 1B is a flow diagram of a method used by the background
art to produce a tray of growing plants from a group of seeds;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method of
repeatedly monitoring and separating a seed for classification;
[0017] FIG. 3 is another exemplary flow diagram of a method of
monitoring and separating individual seeds for classification based
on the results of a previously tested group of seeds;
[0018] FIG. 4 is another exemplary flow diagram of a method of
monitoring and separating individual seeds for commercial use or
sale after the seed reaches a specified rate of development toward
a specific characteristic so that a plurality of seeds can be
classified as such and grouped for commercial use or sale;
[0019] FIG. 5 is another exemplary flow diagram of a method of
monitoring and separating seeds for commercial use or sale using
two different analysis techniques including morphometric analysis
and physiological analysis;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a graph of an example of a physiological test that
produces a set of results of seed oxygen usage versus time of four
different seeds where it is easy to see the different slope of
oxygen consumption over time per seed;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a graph of an example set of results of oxygen
usage versus time of 384 seeds, which results are used to generate
a result-based comparator for use in determining whether other
individual seeds have a specific characteristic based on the
result-based comparator
[0022] FIG. 8 is a graph of an example set of the results of oxygen
usage versus time of another 384 seeds;
[0023] FIG. 9 is an example graph of results of oxygen usage versus
time of four seeds where it is indicated at which point the
determination was made that the individual seed did or did not
germinate;
[0024] FIG. 10 is an example comparison table of the example method
of FIG. 3 versus human evaluation of an individual seed
germinating;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a table of an example of the raw data used in the
comparison of FIG. 10 and showing how a seed is repeatedly
tested;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example of a system for
monitoring and separating seeds for commercial use or sale;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a diagram of another example of a system for
monitoring and separating seeds for commercial use or sale;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a diagram of an example data network used by the
embodiments of the system for monitoring and separating seeds for
commercial use or sale;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a diagram of an example network computer used by
the embodiments of the system for monitoring and separating seeds
for commercial use or sale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] It is evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the
present disclosure is not limited as to the type of individual
monitoring and determination used in generating the resultant
commercial group of seeds where each seed was subjected to
imbibition-induced or growth-induced development, and further that
each and every seed in the group has been monitored and determined
whether it has a specific characteristic. The specific
characteristic which is to be monitored and determined may be any
commercially desirable specific characteristic that such a
growth-induced seed could have or grow to have, such as a seed
likely to grow in suboptimal climates, a seed with a specific rate
of development, a seed with early germination, a seed having a
particular population statistic, a seed that grows in a particular
climate, a seed that reacts better to stresses, a seed that has a
specific vigor rating, a seed with a particular photosynthetic
activity, a seed that has obtained a certain stage of development
or rate of development of the specific characteristic.
[0031] In monitoring and determining whether a growth-induced seed
has the specific characteristics many types of monitoring and
determining techniques may be applied in the embodiments described
herein. Listed below are examples of the different monitoring and
determining procedures and devices (including tests, analysis,
measurements, data gathering, data processing) which may be used
with the embodiments disclosed herein.
[0032] For example, technology including the imaging technology
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,623, entitled "Method and
Apparatus for Assessing the Quality of a Seed Lot," issued on Aug.
19, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,237, entitled "Method and Apparatus
for Assessing the Quality of a Seed Lot," issued on May 4, 1999;
and U.S. Pat. No. 6,236,739 entitled "Method for Determining
Seedling Quality," issued on May 22, 2001, all of which are owned
by the assignee of the present application, are hereby incorporated
by reference herein in their entirety as a description of an
example of the related art and imaging technology which may be used
in the monitoring and determining of a specific characteristic.
[0033] For ease of reading, this disclosure uses the term
"growth-induced seed" to indicate a seed which has been subjected
to imbibition so that it may develop further, or in other words, a
seed manifesting imbibition-induced development, which is as one of
ordinary skill in the art would phrase such a seed.
[0034] Herein, the term "monitoring," and all its variations, is
intended to include testing, measuring, gathering data, processing
data, and analyzing data according to a specific requirement to be
able to provide data associated with the specific characteristic.
The term "comparator" includes a comparator value, range of values,
statistical analysis, statistical ranges, statistical requirements,
and any other requirement. The term "requirement" which is
associated with a specific characteristic also includes any general
requirement, statement, script, or algorithm which could be
implemented by a computer in order to be able to determine whether
a specific characteristic is met by a monitored growth-induced
seed.
[0035] After the individual growth-induced seed is monitored and
determined to have a sought after specific characteristic, this
seed may then be separated into a group of similarly selected
growth-induced seeds for further commercial use or sale, which
includes one or more of a group including a package, a plurality of
germinated seeds, a plurality of seedlings, a plurality of young
plants, a well plate including a plurality of germinated seeds, a
seedling growing tray including a plurality of seedlings, a
plurality of cells of a seedling growing tray, a plurality of
plugs. The term "one or more of a group including A and B" is
intended to describe all possible combinations of A and B, also
including combinations of multiples of A and B, so that the
following combinations are at least included: AA, BB, AB, A, B.
[0036] Other examples of the disclosed embodiments including
subjecting a seed to a growth-inducing procedure, monitoring for a
development stage, development rate or any comparator or
requirement indicative of the specific characteristic, determining
whether such stage or development rate or range of values
indicative of the specific characteristic has been reached,
spectral image acquisition, separating such seed determined to have
the specific characteristic, stopping the subjecting of the
growth-inducing environment, transferring, preserving, and sorting
of such seeds identified to have the specific characteristic are
described herein. However, these embodiments are not intended to be
all inclusive, but rather exemplary. It is evident to one of
ordinary skill in the art that the examples herein are descriptive
and not exhaustive. All equivalents at the time the disclosure was
made are intended to be covered by the claims despite the explicit
inclusion not being stated due to practical considerations.
[0037] Additionally, the terms "growth-induced seed," "seed
manifesting imbibition-induced development," "imbibed seed,"
"germinated seed," "seed," "seed going through the germination
process," "seedling," "small plant," and "plant" are
interchangeable throughout this document, and as such are intended
to have the meaning which includes all of the stages included by
these terms, as these terms are used broadly and intended to
include a seed as it goes through all the stages of the growth
process on to the development into a young plant. The term
"germination" has disputable meaning in this field of technology.
For clarity, "germination" as used herein includes imbibing or
inducing growth of a seed on through to where the seed becomes a
seedling or small plant. The term "growth-induced seed" is used to
represent all the definitions entitled to the above list of terms.
Not every seed which is imbibed or growth-induced ends up growing.
However, the mere act of imbibing or attempting to cause growth
acted upon a seed will cause the seed to be referenced as a
"growth-induced seed," "imbibed seed," "germinated seed," "seed,"
"seed going through the germination process," "seedling," and
"small plant" throughout this document as it is not known which
seed will indeed grow, although it is assumed some seeds will
grow.
[0038] In one embodiment, the specific characteristic may be vigor
based on germination testing. However, one of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate the other specific characteristics beneficial
in the commercial use or sale of a group of individually tested
growth-induced seeds and will understand that any specific
characteristic is covered by the scope of the claims
explicitly.
[0039] After one or more specific characteristics are identified,
monitoring (testing, measuring, gathering data, processing data,
and analyzing data) and determining for the specific characteristic
is performed. The testing of each and every growth-induced seed may
also be done so the determination of whether a seed has the
specific characteristic may be determined at any stage, rate of
development, or state toward or of the specific characteristic. For
example, monitoring and determining whether a seed will germinate
is a specific characteristic for which early indication is
beneficial.
[0040] For example, testing of a seed for a specific stage and/or
rate of development toward germination is done by subjecting the
seed to a growth-inducing environment. The seed may grow and the
seed may be stopped from further growth in order to preserve the
germinated seed in its present particular state. After a plurality
of seeds has been similarly subjected to growth or imbibition,
monitored, and determined to have reached a similar stage and/or
rate of development, each seed can be preserved at the similar
stage and/or rate of development. Thus, a plurality of seeds can be
used and sold commercially as having a similar stage and/or rate of
development toward a specific characteristic, such as germination.
Thus, the grouped seeds are said to be "synchronized" or having a
similar stage and/or rate of development.
[0041] In other words, growth-induced seeds may have a different
rate of growth (including imbibition induced development) into a
plant. Testing for a specific stage and/or rate of development will
allow for a plurality of seeds that grow at a different rate to be
stopped from further growth-induction or slowed from further
growth. Stopping or slowing the seed from further growth is done
when each seed is determined to have a similar stage and/or rate of
development toward growth or maturation. This way a group of seeds,
after having been individually tested, can be synchronized for a
particular stage and/or rate of development. A group of seeds with
such synchronization is desirous for commercial use or sale.
[0042] Alternatively stated, a group of individual seeds in a
population may be simultaneously subjected to growth-induction, but
not every seed will develop into a normal seedling. Further, not
every seed will proceed through the developmental processes at the
same rate. The result of these different development rates is a
population of seedlings at different stage and/or rates of
development, or a "non-uniform" seed group. By monitoring the
physiological and/or morphological or pluralities of such changes
associated with the growth process of each seed, it is possible to
classify each seed as to its stage and/or rate of development.
[0043] A requirement may be specified so that the sought after
characteristic is more easily discernable. For example, there may
be no easily identifiable single value to use while monitoring the
growth-induced seed and determining if the seed has the specific
characteristic. In such case, a requirement may be set forth, such
as identifying all the seeds that fall within a specified range or
grouping. Such range or grouping may be, for example, described by
using population statistics. For example, all seeds determined to
not be the fastest 10% and the slowest 25% of development as
identified by, for example, oxygen consumption analysis, may be
determined as having the specific characteristic. Details of this
requirement are presented below
[0044] Further, for those individual seeds developing more quickly
than the median for the population or some other requirement, it is
possible to slow their development by subjecting these individual
seeds to a lowering of temperature, and/or an other environmental
condition or stress which would slow the growth, and/or selectively
applying plant growth regulators, or limiting water to create
osmotic stress in order to preserve the seeds at a similar state,
stage, and/or rate of development despite the seeds having
different growth rates up until that point. Other growth regulators
include a temperature in the range of 0 to 5.degree. C., or a
chemical growth regulator which is one or more of a group including
ancymidol, chlormequat chloride, daminozide, paclobutrazol, and
uniconazole.
[0045] FIG. 1A shows the method 10 that is used by the background
art. In order to classify a group of seeds, such as an entire seed
group, as having a desired specific characteristic, such as seed
vigor, the background art takes a sample group of the seeds from
the seed group (block 12) and tests the seeds of that sample group
only for the desired characteristic (block 14). The result of the
sample testing is then used to classify the entire seed group
(block 16) from which the sample group was taken. The resultant
package of seeds characterized from this method (block 18) would
have a probability of having the identified classification.
Thereafter, the seeds of the group of seeds are packaged with the
classification based on the classification of the sample group
(block 18).
[0046] FIG. 1B shows a flow diagram of another background art
method 11, commonly known as "gap filling" or "gapping up" a tray
of seedlings, which is used to produce a seedling tray with
higher-performing young plants. First, a group of seeds are
selected to he sowed into a plurality of cells that make up a tray
(block 70). The seeds in the cells are grown in the tray until
leaves are generated (block 72). An imaging device takes a spectral
image of the tray and its contents (block 74). Measurements are
taken of the leaf surface area (block 76). Gaps in the tray are
detected (block 77). The plants identified as being associated with
the gaps are removed from the cell of the tray (block 78). The
empty cells of the tray are then replaced with a plant that is of
an adequate development (block 79) so the tray is filled with
plants which have reached a more common development stage.
[0047] Current practice for young plant producers calls for "full
trays." If 100 trays of 100 plants/tray are required to be sold,
the young plant producer may sow 125 trays and find he has 80
plants in each tray. At a point in time during the growing cycle,
typically when cotyledons are fully expanded, equipment is used to
pull plants from "source trays" and fill in gaps in "destination
trays." Equipment typically consists of (1) an imaging system which
identifies cells with missing plants in the destination trays and
good plants in the source trays, (2) a bottom dislodger which
pushes media, or media and seedling, up through an opening in the
bottom of a cell, (3) a gripper which holds and pulls the dislodged
media and seedling and releases the media and seedling into a empty
cell in the destination tray, and associated (4) tray indexing,
dislodger and gripper movement mechanics.
[0048] None of the background art tests an individual
growth-induced seed in order to classify a group of seeds. For
example, the background art does not test each individual
growth-induced seed before sowing the seed into the cell of the
plant tray. Thus, the background art is not able to generate a
higher yielding seedling or plant tray earlier in the process of
production of the plant tray. Embodiments of the present disclosure
test each individual growth-induced seed at an earlier time, well
before sowing the seed into the cell of the seedling or plant
tray.
[0049] Another problem with the background art is that the
background art performs one test to test a plurality of seeds in
order to determine which cells of the tray need to be replaced. The
background art does not test a single growth-induced seed, much
less take repeated measurements of the single seed. Embodiments of
the present disclosure test a single growth-induced seed and take
repeated measurements of the single seed.
[0050] Further, the background art does not combine multiple
different types of tests to test an individual growth-induced seed.
The background art does not take more than one type of measurement
in monitoring for a specific characteristic. For example, the
background art only measures the surface area of the cotyledons or
leaves and does not combine this measurement with a different
measurement, such as a physiological measurement of a metabolic
measurement of oxygen consumption or another morphometric
measurement, to determine based on the combination of these
measurements which cell area of the tray holds a deficient seed.
Embodiments of the present disclosure combine multiple different
types of measurements and tests to monitor and determine whether an
individual seed has a specific characteristic or a plurality of
specific characteristics. Embodiments of the present disclosure
include testing for any combination of a morphometric and/or a
physiological changes or rates of change.
[0051] Further, the background art takes only a one-time
instantaneous image or measurement, e.g. a single snapshot in time.
The background art does not take repeated spectral images or
repeated tests, or measurements. Embodiments of the present
disclosure take repeated spectral images of the growth-induced seed
and/or repeated tests and/or measurements as the seed grows.
[0052] Also, the background art looks at the size of the surface
area of the roots, cotyledons, or leaves only. The background art
does not take other morphometric measurements, moreover the
background art does not take morphometric measurements of a single
growth-induced seed in order to determine if the seed has a
specific characteristic. The background art does not take
morphometric measurements of, for example, seed perimeter, seed
length, seed width, and other dimensions, areas, and volumes of
seeds, hypocotyls, cotyledons, breaks in the seed coat, branching
of roots, shedding of the seed coat, unfolding of the leaves
(0-180.degree. angle of openness of cotyledons in relation to the
growing surface) of a single growth-induced seed, and any parts
thereof. Embodiments of the present disclosure take morphometric
measurements including cotyledon measurements and other types of
seed measurements listed above, but also including other types of
morphometric measurements, such as ratios, angles, statistical
analysis (i.e., deviation anaylsis). Also, embodiments of the
present disclosure take any kind of repeated measurement of a
growth-induced seed in determining whether the seed has a sought
after specific characteristic.
[0053] One problem with testing a seed at a time much later after
germination has started is that the background art requires more
physical space of the seed growing equipment to produce the same
amount of plants. For example, assuming a two dimensional space
measurement is taken of the source tray, which is the tray used to
fill the gaps of the destination tray, the space it takes to
produce the cells with gap filling is 128% of the space used to
produce a yield of 80%. Whereas, embodiments of the present
disclosure reduce the space required from 128% to, for example, 28%
in order to yield the same 80%. This reduction is due to the
earlier detection of favorable growth-induced seeds and the smaller
amount of area required to work with only the smaller number of
classified growth-induced seeds rather than working with all the
seeds.
[0054] Another benefit of the disclosure herein is that the tests
and/or measurements of the individual growth-induced seed can be
done at an earlier time so that further space can be saved as these
tests and/or measurements are taken before the growth-induced seed
requires light. Thus, further space reduction is allowed as a
3-dimensional stacking of trays of growth-induced seeds can be used
instead of the two dimensional layouts used by the background art,
which required sunlight to access each individual seed at the time
of testing. Embodiments of the present disclosure do not require
direct sunlight as tests and measurements run as part of the
embodiments of the present disclosure can be performed before the
growth-induced seed requires direct sunlight.
[0055] As discussed herein, embodiments of the present disclosure
generate an output of a plurality of individually tested
growth-induced seeds, where each seed was determined to have a
specific characteristic. Each seed may be separated in any of the
following forms of output, such as, a package of germinated seeds,
a tray of plants, or group of seeds, group of seedlings, plurality
of germinated seeds, plurality of seedlings, plurality of young
plants, a well plate including a plurality of germinated seeds, a
well plate including a plurality of seedlings, a seedling growing
tray including a plurality of seedlings, a plurality of cells of a
seedling growing tray, and a plurality of plugs.
[0056] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method 20 of the
present disclosure for generating a group of germinated seeds for
commercial use or sale, including subjecting each seed to
growth-inducing (block 20), monitoring the seed for a development
stage associated with a specific characteristic (block 22);
automatically determining if the seed has the specific
characteristic (block 24); separating the monitored seed having the
specific characteristic into a the group for commercial use or sale
so that each and every seed in the group has been monitored and
determined to have the specific characteristic (block 27). Seeds
not having the specific characteristic are separated out (block
28).
[0057] A development stage (block 22) includes any type of stage,
including a rate of development, that can be identified by a
physiological indicator or a morphometric indicator or any
combination of the two types of indicators and their pluralities.
Physiological indicators are indicators of any type of mechanical,
physical, and biochemical functions of a living organism, such as a
growth-induced seed. Morphometric indicators are indicators of any
type of change in external form of the seed.
[0058] When monitoring and determining if a seed has a specific
characteristic (blocks 22, 24), an examination of the complex
structures and their elements and relations (physiological and/or
morphometric) is done at a single time (not shown) or repeatedly
until it is determinable whether the seed has the specific
characteristic. In this way, each seed can be stopped at a
particular stage of growth or rate of development. Moreover, any
combination of tests can be done repeatedly at the same time or at
different times.
[0059] All types of comparators including a comparator value, range
of values, statistical analysis, statistical ranges, statistical
requirements, and any other requirement associated with monitoring
and determining for a specific characteristic may be used with the
embodiments described herein. For example, a comparator may be
formulated by using a previous group of individually tested seeds
to generate information which can be monitored for during the step
of automatically determining if the monitored seed has the specific
characteristic based on information about the monitored development
stage of the seed.
[0060] Alternatively, information about the monitored
growth-induced seed may include statistical information, such as
population statistics. A growth-induced seed may be monitored and
automatically determined for a specific characteristic based on a
range or other requirement associated with the specific
characteristic (block 24). For example, listed below in Tables 1-3
are the oxygen consumption readings of the 10.sup.th, 50.sup.th,
and 100.sup.th oxygen consumption readings for a group of
growth-induced seeds. No oxygen consumption is indicated by the
value More in the Bin column. Also, sensor fluctuations can result
in a reading higher than 1. A reading of 1 in the Bin column
indicates that oxygen consumption has begun. As oxygen is consumed
the numbers move down to zero.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 10th oxygen reading Bin Frequency 0.35 0 0.4
0 0.45 0 0.5 0 0.55 0 0.6 0 0.65 0 0.7 0 0.75 0 0.8 0 0.85 0 0.9 0
0.95 13 1 71 More 16
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 50th oxygen reading Bin Frequency 0.35 0 0.4
1 0.45 2 0.5 1 0.55 5 0.6 6 0.65 8 0.7 7 0.75 7 0.8 7 0.85 14 0.9
16 0.95 21 1 4 More 1
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 100th oxygen reading Bin Frequency 0.35 0
0.4 6 0.45 35 0.5 12 0.55 12 0.6 5 0.65 3 0.7 6 0.75 9 0.8 5 0.85 3
0.9 2 0.95 1 1 0 More 1
[0061] In the 10.sup.th read shown in Table 1, it is evident that
the majority of seeds have not used much oxygen. However, by the
50.sup.th read as shown in Table 2, while three groups of seeds
have not used much oxygen, the rest have started to consume oxygen.
Then, by the 100.sup.th reading as shown in Table 3, the majority
of seeds are indicated as having consumed a large amount of oxygen.
Requirements based on population statistics, such as these
described above may be used in the process of automatically
determining which seeds have the specific characteristic. Here the
seeds falling within the majority of oxygen consumption frequencies
is the requirement or more narrowly stated range that may be
monitored for in order to determined which seeds to classify as
having the specific characteristic. The specific characteristic
here is seeds with average or germination rates that fall within
the frequency which is not in the fastest 10% of oxygen consumption
and not in the slowest 25% of oxygen consumption (block 24).
Monitoring and determining may be done for any other statistical
requirement or range.
[0062] In the example shown in Tables 1-3, the process of
determination (block 24) may further include analyzing which seeds
absorb oxygen the fastest, then classifying these fastest
developing seeds as seeds not to be harvested. This may be
determined at the 10.sup.th reading. At the 50.sup.th reading, the
slowest 25% of the seeds can be identified and also classified as
not to be harvested. The remaining seeds may then be separated as
being the seeds having the specific characteristic into a grouping
of these growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale.
[0063] Blocks which are similar between FIGS. 2 and 3 are
identified with the same element identifier. Turning to FIG. 3, in
determining which of the individually tested seeds has the specific
characteristic, many techniques for generating a comparator
including a comparator value, range of values, statistical
analysis, statistical ranges, statistical requirements, and any
other requirement to use in monitoring for the specific
characteristic may be used. For example, to identify, at an early
stage, which individual seeds are more likely to have the specific
characteristic or combination of specific characteristics, a test
sub-group can be taken from a seed group (block 32). Each of the
seeds in the test sub-group can be tested for the specific
characteristic (block 34). These results for the individual seeds
of the sub-group can be used to generate a result-based comparator
value for the specific or other similar characteristic (block 36),
so that when a remaining seed from the group is tested for the same
characteristic or a similar set of the specific characteristics,
then the comparator value (block 36), can be generated and used to
analyze each remaining seed individually for that specific
characteristic (block 38). If the remaining seed, after being
compared to the comparator value, is determined to meet the
requirements so it may be classified as having the specific
characteristic, then that seed is separated (block 26), and may be
transferred to a separate group that is packaged as having seeds
classified as meeting the requirements of the specific
characteristic. Any seed not determined to have the specific
characteristic is separated from the rest of the group (block 28).
It is not required that a relationship exists where the seeds used
to generate the comparator are from the same seed group as the
later tested seeds.
[0064] In other words, after choosing one or more specific
characteristics and choosing a seed for evaluation, monitoring may
be done on the seed (block 22) to determine whether the individual
seed has a specific characteristic so the monitored seed and other
monitored seeds determined as having the specific characteristic
can be grouped together for commercial use or sale purposes.
[0065] An example of how a comparator value may be generated (block
36) is explained in greater detail below with reference to FIGS.
6-11. Other examples of a comparator include requirements or ranges
which may be associated with statistical analysis. Generating a
comparator may include the use of one or more of a group including
applying a genetic algorithm, applying statistical analysis,
applying population statistics, applying fuzzy logic techniques,
applying multi-variant regression techniques, and determining the
best correlation between the specific characteristic and the first
monitoring of the physiological indication for each and every
individual seed in the first group.
[0066] In the example disclosed in FIG. 3, a sub-lot of
growth-induced seeds was monitored for a specific characteristic,
such as seed germination. An operator of this monitoring may use
software procedures, such as the EVOLVER.TM. program to generate a
comparator value by inputting the data of the sub-lot results and
comparing this data at each time reading with how a human would
judge that same seed at that specific time. Techniques, such as the
EVOLVER.TM. program compared each seed's consumption rate with an
EVOLVER.TM. program-selected consumption rate between the minimum
and maximum. If the measured rate was greater than the selected
rate, the seed was considered germinated and given a score of 1, if
not greater, the seed was considered not germinated and given a
score of 0. These calls were compared to human judgment. This
process repeats itself, testing all measured consumption rates at
each time point with a EVOLVER.TM.-selected consumption rate,
considering the seed germinated if the measured rate was greater
than the selected rate, not germinated if less than the selected
rate. Use of the EVOLVER.TM. program finds the selected consumption
rate which provides the closest correlation with human judgment.
Further details of this operation are listed below in the
description of FIGS. 6-11.
[0067] Separating of the seeds includes the production of any type
of output or grouping of the seeds that would be beneficial for
commercial use or sale, such as separating the growth-induced seeds
for final commercial sale, which includes producing a package of
growth-induced seeds. Further, commercial use or sale of the
growth-induced seeds includes any grouping of the seeds prior to
final commercial sale, such as separating of the classified
growth-induced seeds into a plurality of growth-induced seeds, a
plurality of seedlings, a plurality of young plants, a microtiter
well plate including a plurality of growth-induced seeds, a
seedling growing tray including a plurality of seedlings, a
plurality of cells of a seedling growing tray, and a plurality of
plugs.
[0068] Separating the growth-induced seed having the specific
characteristic into the group of growth-induced seeds for
commercial use or sale (block 26) includes one or more of a group
including planting, seeding, growing in pots, growing in trays,
growing in cells, sowing outside in a field, sowing into synthetic
media, arms length transfer, and sale.
[0069] For example, commercial use or sale would include a standard
seed sale transaction common in the trade. Another commercial use
of seed from the embodiments of the disclosure would be to use this
seed for the production of plants or plant products which are sold.
Plants or plant products produced from seed from the embodiments
disclosed could be produced more inexpensively than from standard
seed. Production of plants or plant products could be realized by
sowing seeds from the embodiments of this disclosure in pots,
trays, cells, synthetic media, or directly in the field.
[0070] In monitoring each seed for the specific characteristic/s
(block 22, 34) any development stage or rate of development
associated with the specific characteristic can be monitored,
including any one or more of the group including a physiological
aspect, a morphometric aspect, a combination of a physiological
indication and a morphometric indication, a combination of a
plurality of physiological indicators, a combination of a plurality
of metamorphic indicators, and a combination of a plurality of
physiological indicators and morphometric indicators. FIG. 3 shows
the example where a physiological indication is tested (block
34).
[0071] It is evident that the physiological testing in FIG. 3 may
be substituted for any testing of a development stage or rate of
development including any combination of the following: a
physiological indication, a morphometric indication, a combination
of a physiological indication and a morphometric aspect, a
combination of a plurality of physiological indicator, a
combination of a plurality of metamorphic indicator, and a
combination of a plurality of physiological indicator and
morphometric indicator. Any of the described combinations of
development stage testing described herein or their equivalents can
be substituted for the example testing and monitoring for the
physiological indication as shown in FIG. 3.
[0072] There are many physiological indicators related to seeds
which may be monitored (blocks 22 and 34 of FIGS. 2 and 3), such as
plant nutrition, plant hormone function; photosynthesis;
respiration; tropisms, nastic movements; photoperiodism;
photomorphogenesis; circadian rhythms; environmental stress
physiology; dormancy and stomata function and transpiration; seed
germination; metabolic signals; gas production and/or gas
absorption, such as, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide
production; enzyme activity; a breakdown of seed storage materials,
near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) profiles; fundamental infrared
spectroscopy profiles; a sugar measurement; a cellular breakdown;
and/or any associated rate of such physiological indicator. These
embodiments are described later in greater detail.
[0073] Alternatively, or in combination with physiological testing,
there are many types of morphometric
tests/meaurements/analysis/data gathering/data processing that can
also be monitored (blocks 22 and 34 of FIGS. 2 and 3), such as any
morphometric stages associated with growth, which may include any
of a seed coat opening to a seedling developing, germination
beginning to plant development, any indication of a root, root
hairs, a stem, a hypocotyl, a cotyledon, a leaf.
[0074] Turning to FIG. 4, for example, in generating a seed group
with the specific characteristic of having a high seed quality,
monitoring the seeds with respect to the development stages of seed
germination (blocks 42, 44, 45) may be performed as a test of the
specific characteristic of seed quality. One example of monitoring
for seed germination is to monitor for a physiological indication
by monitoring for a metabolic indicator, such as monitoring for
oxygen usage of a seed when fueling respiration towards germination
(block 44).
[0075] In setting up the analysis of seed germination for each
individual seed of the seed group, each and every seed is subjected
to a growth-inducing environment (block 42). Depending upon which
specific characteristic is tested, the environment can be changed
accordingly. For example, in addition to testing for the specific
characteristic of seed germination another specific characteristic,
such as testing for seeds that germinate in a particular
environment can be done with the embodiments described herein. For
example, individual seeds may be subjected to a specific
environment, (blocks 42, 21) in order to simulate real world
environments by subjecting the seed to a similar temperature,
oxygen, light, water, water potential, electrical conductivity,
and/or other environmental conditions or stresses of the real world
environment, as discussed in more detail later.
[0076] As stated above, germination can be monitored in many ways
(block 44), such as by monitoring for metabolic activity, a
metabolic signal, gas consumption, gas production, oxygen
consumption, production of CO.sub.2, enzyme activity, a breakdown
of seed storage materials, near infrared spectroscopy (NIR)
profiles, fundamental infrared spectroscopy profiles, a sugar
measurement, and a cellular breakdown.
[0077] While, FIG. 2 described testing for a development stage, the
development stage may include testing for a development rate. FIG.
4 expressly describes one embodiment where the rate of development
is monitored and used in determining whether the seed has the
specific characteristic.
[0078] Testing for a specific development rate is accomplished
(block 45) to determine whether or not to keep subjecting the seed
to the further growth-inducing procedure (block 42), or to stop
subjecting the seed (block 46), or to separate the seed out as not
achieving the specific rate (block 28).
[0079] If the seed is determined to have achieved the desired rate
toward the specific characteristic, then the seed is stopped from
further subjection (block 46) and preserved (block 48). The seed is
separated into a group of similar seeds (block 26) and at least a
portion of the group may be transferred for sorting for commercial
use or sale as discussed above.
[0080] The disclosed embodiment includes monitoring for oxygen
consumption (block 44) by use of fluorescent quenching. Other ways
of testing for oxygen consumption such as chemoluminescence are
also included, and some are discussed later.
[0081] Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, like the other
embodiments described herein, may also be combined with other
tests, as discussed herein, such as other physiological tests
and/or other morphometric tests and their pluralities performed at
the same time or at different times. Alternatively, a combination
of morphometric tests including rates of change can be done on each
individual seed. Additionally, any given physiological or
morphometric test or rate of change can be repeated on each
individual seed at different times and compared to a value, rate,
or requirement associated with the specific characteristic.
[0082] Stopping the seed from further growth inducing procedure
(block 46) and preserving the seed (block 48) may be done by drying
and/or by using temperature controls and/or growth inhibitors
and/or regulators. Growth regulators also include limiting water by
osmotic stress in order to preserve the seeds at a similar state,
stage, and/or rate of development. Other growth regulators include
a colder temperature, such as a temperature in the range of 0 to
5.degree. C., or a chemical growth regulator which is one or more
of a group including ancymidol, chlormequat chloride, daminozide,
paclobutrazol, and uniconazole.
[0083] FIG. 5 is an example of testing an individual seed for both,
a physiological indication, such as photosynthesis, and a
morphometric indication, such as measuring the different physical
parts of a seedling. A spectral image of a germinated seed which
has reached the seedling stage is taken (block 52). Analysis of the
spectral image determines the classification of the parts of the
seedling. For example, spectral filters may be used to classify the
parts of the seedling (block 54). The classification can be refined
with, for example, image plane morphography (block 56). The method
further determines the location of the seedling. For example, the
location of the seedling may be determined by identifying the two
dimensional x and y coordinate locations of the seedling parts
(block 58). The measurements of the seedling parts are taken (block
60). The method determines if the seedling should be harvested
(block 64) after measuring the photosynthetic activity of the
seedling (block 62) and/or at least a measurement of one part of
the seed.
[0084] Further, the seedling may be harvested immediately (not
shown). Alternatively, the coordinates of the seedling to be
harvested are identified in, for example, a three dimensional
coordinate system (x,y,z) (block 66) so that a harvesting device
can locate the seedling (block 68) and gather the seedling from the
seedling tray or well plate (block 70) and place the seedling into
a new seedling tray or well plate (block 72). Block 60 is an
example of a morphometric test done with the aide of spectral image
analysis testing (blocks 54-60) and block 62 is an example of a
physiological test. These tests either individually or together may
be used to determine whether to harvest the seedling (block
64).
[0085] Automated delivery systems and multiple reading and harvest
cycles may be used to separate or harvest (blocks 26, 70) all
seedlings from a group of seeds at the same stage or rate of
development, for example when the seedlings are about 2 mm in
length, or when the root growth is 10% of the length of the
seed.
[0086] Once it is determined which seedlings are to be harvested
(block 64), the information on x, y, and z location is transferred
to a harvesting procedure (block 68). A vacuum pick up device, such
as a "vacuum needle" attached to, for example, a 3 or 5 axis
positioning table, is used to gather the seedlings (block 70). This
separating or harvesting operation (blocks 26, 70) may be automated
by having a plate stacking device deliver the plates for harvesting
or the plates may be delivered manually. One plate stacking device
could feed multiple harvesting systems.
[0087] For example, when separating or harvesting (blocks 26, 70),
well plates are spread out over the accessible area of the table
surface. The appropriate amounts of empty well plates are also
added to the surface accessible by the positioning table. A
computer-generated plate map is made which allows the procedure to
understand the physical location of each plate, the dimensional
aspects of each plate, and if it contains seeds to be harvested or
is to receive harvested seeds. This is coordinated with the XYZ
location of the seedlings to be harvested from each plate.
[0088] A vacuum tip then moves in the x, y, and z dimension until
all the seeds of interest are separated or harvested (blocks, 26,
70). For example, it has been found that on a three axis system,
harvesting seedlings from 96 well plates and delivering them into
384 well plates takes approximately 1 hour to fill the 384 well
plate (block 72).
[0089] Similarly a 5 axis system is also available to separate or
harvest (blocks 26, 70) the seeds determined to have the specific
characteristic. For example, the Z axis is used for up and down
motion to transfer the seeds between the plate with the growing
seedling and the plate which will receive the seedlings. This
allows for each plate to have its own independent x and y motion.
If needed, 3 of the 5 axes can be run simultaneously when the
vacuum needle on the z axis is clear, i.e. within the depth of a
well and all 5 axes can run simultaneously when the z axis is not
located within a well.
[0090] FIG. 6 illustrates a more detailed example of how a
comparator value for testing a specific characteristic may be
generated (block 36) in any method described herein. FIG. 6
illustrates the signal strength of the oxygen concentration test
results of four seeds plotted against time. These four seeds are an
example of a group of seeds used in method 30 (block 34). Oxygen
concentration can be measured by, for example, making optical
readings of fluorescent quenching of a fluorescent dye. FIG. 6
illustrates the resultant plots of example seeds 1 and 2 as having
a sharp change of slope occurring. Whereas, example seeds 3 and 4
have very little change in slope. Seeds 1 and 2 indicate a slope of
oxygen consumption over time, which indicates germination has
occurred.
[0091] FIG. 7 shows a set of results for tests run on a larger
group, for example 384 seeds and the graph that is generated by
such testing of the group (block 34 from FIG. 3). From such larger
data, a calibration run can be used to determine a result-based
comparator value (block 36), such as what change of slope for which
a similar individual seed can be expected to have a certain outcome
with respect to the specific characteristic. Based on, for example,
the slope results generated by the calibration run (block 36),
other individual seeds can be tested (block 22), so the
determination of whether the individual seed will generate a
resultant plot which has a change of slope, for example, equal to
or greater than the slope determined by the calibration run
(result-based comparator value) as being a slope-indicating
likelihood of germination or any other specific characteristic
(block 38). If, for example, the individual seed does generate a
resultant plot where the slope is greater than that slope
determined by the calibration run (result-based comparator value)
(block 26), then there is an increased probability that the seed
from the group will be live and germinate.
[0092] After testing the remaining individual seeds for the slope
(block 38), any seed that produces the results having the
calibration run-determined slope is classified (block 26) as having
the specific characteristic of likelihood of germination.
Accordingly, the seed is grouped with other seeds which produce the
same results so that the seed group that is generated and packaged
for commercial use or sale (block 27) is one that can be identified
as having a similar classification. Otherwise, the seed is
separated (block 28).
[0093] FIG. 8 shows the results of the testing of each and every
seed of 384 of the remaining seeds of the larger group of seeds
which included the seeds tested to generate the comparator value
and the subsequently tested seeds, which were testing using that
comparator. Please note that such a relationship between the seeds
used to generate the comparator and the seeds tested with the
comparator is not required. No relation besides that the seeds are
similar enough for comparison is needed.
[0094] If the individual seed does generate a resultant plot where
the slope is greater than that slope determined by the calibration
run (result-based comparator value), then there is an increased
chance that the seed from the group will be live and germinate.
After testing the remaining individual seeds from the seed group
for the slope (or any other possible generated comparator value)
(block 22, 38), any seed that produces the results having the
calibration run-determined slope is classified as having the
specific characteristic of likelihood of germination (block 26).
Accordingly, the seed is grouped with other seeds which produce the
same results so that the seed group generated is one that can be
identified as having seeds with a greater likelihood of germination
and is then separated (block 26) and packaged for commercial use or
sale (block 27).
[0095] As shown in FIG. 9, in the present example, the calibration
run generated a result-based comparator value for testing the
remaining seeds of the seed group. For example, the calibration run
identified that a seed that has a change of slope value of .0088
over a four hour period, which is an example of a rate of
development, would be live and germinate. Whereas, a seed that
would have a change of slope value below .0088 over a four-hour
period would likely not germinate or would not be classified as
likely to germinate or grow. These are example values only and the
embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to these examples. As
shown, seed 2 is determined to have germinated after eight hours.
Whereas seed 1, at eight hours, was not yet determined as
germinated or not germinated (block 45). Therefore, seed 1 remains
subjected to the germination environment (block 42) and monitored
for the metabolic activity indicative of a specific characteristic
(block 44). At twelve hours, seed 1 is shown to have been
determined as having achieved the specific development rate toward
the specific characteristic (block 45) and then seed 1 is stopped
from further subjecting (block 46). At this point the seed can be
stopped from further growth (block 46) or preserved (block 48) in
this state in any means of stopping or preserving available, such
as by drying and/or by using temperature controls and/or growth
inhibitors and/or regulators. Growth regulators may, for example,
include limiting water by osmotic stress in order to preserve the
seeds at a similar state, stage, and/or rate of development. Other
growth regulators include a colder temperature, such as a
temperature in the range of 0 to 5.degree. C., or a chemical growth
regulator which is one or more of a group including ancymidol,
chlormequat chloride, daminozide, paclobutrazol, and
uniconazole.
[0096] The table in FIG. 10 shows the comparison between a computer
or networked system using method 30 and a human visually evaluating
the same seed at the same time. A 1-1 relation indicates that the
human and the method agreed the same seed would germinate. This 1-1
relation exists for 299 seeds of the 384 tested. Twenty seeds were
identified by the computer as likely to germinate whereas the human
judged these seeds unlikely to germinate as identified by the 1-0
relationship. There were twenty-eight seeds that were identified by
the computer as not likely to germinate whereas the human judged
these seeds as likely to germinate as identified by the 0-1
relationship. There were thirty-seven seeds identified by both the
computer and the human as unlikely to germinate as identified by
the 0-0 relationship. As seen there was very good agreement as to
which seeds were predicted to germinate.
[0097] FIG. 11 shows a sample of the raw data used to in comparing
the method 30 with a human. The human and the method 30 tested the
seed at the same time. The "timestamp" column records the specific
time when each testing by both the human and the method 30
occurred. The "samlpenum" column indicates which seed was being
sampled and the "sample" column indicates the sample number of the
specific seed being tested at the specified time interval. The
"Real Germ" column is a record of a human person predicting
germination based on visually monitoring the seed at the same time
method 30 evaluates the seed. The "RealGerm" column is where the
human recorded a value between 0-4 based on the human's visual
monitoring. A 0 value in the "RealGerm" column indicated no
germination visible; 1 indicated seed coat was just broken; 2
indicated root tip was visible; 3 indicated obvious 3 mm.
elongation; and 4 indicated stem growth was visible.
[0098] As described herein, embodiments of the disclosure will
generate a grouping of growth-induced seeds for commercial use or
sale so that each and every seed of the grouping has been
individually tested for a desired specific characteristic, such as
seed germination. As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art, there are many seed characteristics, physiological
indicators, morphometric indicators, tests, analysis, monitoring
methods, determination methods, separation methods, and transfer
methods that can be used with the embodiments disclosed herein. The
following is a brief discussion of some example methods that may be
used with the embodiments disclosed herein. The tests described
below can be used in the subjecting of the seed to a
growth-induction procedure, the monitoring of the seed for a
specific characteristic, and the determining if the seed has the
specific characteristic in order to produce a group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale. As evident to one
with ordinary skill in the art, the selection of the specific
characteristic helps define the processes of subjecting of the seed
to a growth-induction procedure, monitoring of the seed for a
specific characteristic, and determining if the seed has the
specific characteristic in order to produce a group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale.
I. Specific Characteristic Example 1: Seed Vigor and Associated
Tests
[0099] Biologically, seed vigor is based on the genetic
constitution of seeds which establishes their maximum physiological
potential based on the fact that seeds begin to deteriorate at
maturity and this deterioration proceeds until all of the seed
tissues are dead. The rate of deterioration, including loss of
vigor, is determined not only by heredity, but also by events
occurring during seed development, harvesting, conditioning, and
storage.
[0100] Several categories of seed vigor tests are known and may be
incorporated in any of the disclosed embodiments. These categories
include: (1) seedling growth and evaluation tests (which are often
referred to as "seedling vigor classification and seedling growth
rate" tests); (2) stress tests; and (3) biochemical tests.
[0101] a. Vigor Determination by Seedling Growth and Evaluation
Tests
[0102] Some vigor tests are conducted under the same conditions as
a standard germination test, except seedling growth or morphology
is measured or evaluated in a different way. Seedling growth and
evaluation tests are generally inexpensive and relatively rapid.
However, the drawbacks of these tests are that conditions are tough
to standardize between laboratories and the seed analyst must be
able to determine whether the seed has germinated.
[0103] The seedling vigor classification is similar to the standard
germination test. The only difference between the two tests is that
normal seedlings are further classified as "strong" or "weak." A
seedling is often characterized as weak if it is missing its
primary root and/or cotyledon, if its hypocotyl has breaks,
lesions, necrosis, twisting or curling. In contrast, normal
seedlings are characterized as "strong." Based on this test,
seedlings are divided into those with deficiencies and those
without deficiencies.
[0104] The seedling growth rate test involves a measurement of
seedling growth. Under this test, seeds are germinated according to
a standard germination test with a more specific moisture content
on paper towels. At the end of the germination period, seedling
growth is measured. Usually, linear growth and dry weight are
determined. Seeds which produce a single straight shoot or root can
be measured to determine linear growth. The seedling growth rate
test suffers from four limitations: (1) the seedling measurement
and the removal of cotyledons or other storage tissues prior to
oven drying are relatively time consuming; (2) seedling elongation
can be inherently different among cultivars; (3) rate of
germination is affected by moisture and temperature; and (4) seed
size affects hypocotyl growth in soybeans.
[0105] b. Vigor Determination by Stress Tests
[0106] Some of the stress tests simulate stresses which seeds
encounter in the field. The theory behind a stress test is that
under suboptimum or stressed conditions, high vigor seeds have a
greater potential for emergence.
[0107] In the accelerated aging test, for example, seeds are placed
in temperature of 40-45.degree. C. and nearly 100% relative
humidity for various lengths of time, after which a germination
test is conducted. This test is relatively inexpensive.
[0108] The cold test simulates early spring field conditions by
providing high soil moisture and low soil temperature. Typically,
seeds are placed in soil in a plastic box or in paper towels lined
with soil and incubated at 10 .degree. C. for a specified period.
At the end of the cold period, the tests are transferred to a
favorable temperature for germination. The emergence percentage is
considered as an indication of seed vigor. However, one problem
with the cold test is microorganisms. Microorganisms frequently
cause seed decay, fungus and other problems. In addition, specific
soil conditions are often difficult to standardize from laboratory
to laboratory.
[0109] The cool germination test involves germinating seeds in
darkness at constantly low temperatures, such as 18 .degree. C. for
several days. Basically, this test is a type of seed exhaustion
test. This test is also referred to as the slant board test, which
has been used to predict the field vigor in lettuce, carrots,
cauliflower seeds and cotton. See O. E. Smith et al., "Studies on
Lettuce Seed Quality: I. Effect of Seed Size and Weight on Vigor,"
J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 98(b): 529-533 (1973). McCormac, A. C. et
al., "Automated Vigour Testing of Field Vegetables Using Image
Analysis," Seed Sci. and Technol. 18: 103-112 (1990).
[0110] c. Vigor Determination by Biochemical Tests
[0111] Biochemical tests measure certain metabolic events in seeds
that are associated with germination and can be used to assess
vigor. These tests include, for example, the biochemical tests
described herein.
[0112] The tetrazolium test measures dehydrogenase enzyme activity.
These enzymes reduce tetrazolium chloride salt, which is colorless,
to form a water insoluble red compound, formazon, which "stains"
living cells a red color. The dead cells remain colorless. See the
Seed Vigor Testing Handbook Prepared by the Seed Test Committee of
the Association of Official Seed Analysts (1983).
[0113] Conductivity tests involve measuring soak water
conductivity. Low vigor seeds often have poor membrane structure
and often leak. Seeds with such a poor membrane structure
frequently lose electrolytes, such as amino acids and organic
acids, when they imbibe water, thereby increasing the conductivity
of the soak water.
[0114] d. Vigor Determination by Image Analysis Tests
[0115] The tests described herein may be incorporated into any of
the disclosed embodiments. For example, the processes of monitoring
the seed for a specific characteristic and determining if the seed
has the specific characteristic in order to produce a group of
growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale may include, for
example, the spectral image analysis tests described below.
[0116] Image Analysis, which is also known as "Machine Vision," is
a computer based system that is used in the plant industry. The
most common components of an image analysis system are a camera, a
frame-grabber to digitize the analogue image and store it in RAM, a
computer to run image-processing, image analysis classification and
user access software, and data output hardware such as a monitor
and printer. See Draper, S. R. et al., "Machine Vision for the
Characterization and Identification of Cultivars", Plant Varieties
and Seeds 2: 53-62 (1989). Image analysis provides a new way of
studying and monitoring plants and seeds. For example, image
analysis is used to analyze and record the shape of plant organs
and seeds. Draper, S. R. et al., "Preliminary Observations with a
Computer Based System for Analysis of the Shape of Seeds and
Vegetative Structures," J. Nata. Inst. Agric. Bot. 36: 387-395
(1984). Travis, A. J. et al., "A Computer Based System for the
Recognition of Seed Shape," Seed Sci. & Technol. 13: 813-820
(1985). Image analysis is also used to determine the shape and size
of plants in order to help classify, characterize, identify, and
register new plant varieties. See Keefe, P. D. et al., "An
Automated Machine Vision System for the Morphometry of New
Cultivars and Plant Gene Bank Accessions"; Draper, S. R. et al,
"Machine Vision for the Characterization and Identification of
Cultivars," Plant Varieties and Seeds 2: 53-62 (1989).
[0117] Image analysis is also used in the monitoring and
determining processes described above including growth testing,
vigor testing, and germination testing. Image analysis has been
used to measure the results of the slant board test, the
accelerated aging test and the cold test. See Keys, R. D. et al.,
"Automated Seedling Length Measurement for Germination/Vigor
Estimation Using ACASAS (Computerized Automated Seed Analysis
System)," J. of Seed Technol. 9: 40-53 (1984). McCormac, A. C. et
al., "Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) Seed Vigour: Imbibition
Effects," J. of Exp. Bot. 41: 893-899 (1990); McCormac, A. C. et
al., "Automated Vigor Testing of Field Vegetables Using Image
Analysis," Seed Sci. & Technol. 18: 103-112 (1990).
[0118] Additional image analysis testing is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,659,623, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Assessing the
Quality of a Seed Lot," issued on Aug. 19, 1997; U.S. Pat. No.
5,901,237, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Assessing the Quality
of a Seed Lot," issued on May 4, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,236,739
entitled "Method for Determining Seedling Quality," issued on May
22, 2001, all of which are owned by the assignee of the present
application, and are hereby incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety as a description of an example of the related art
and imaging technology which may be used in analysis of a specific
characteristic.
[0119] Further, spectral image analysis is used to monitor and
determining if a growth induced seed has a specific characteristic
by measuring, analyzing, and testing morphometric information
and/or physiological information of a seed or seeds that are
growing. For example, as a seed coat opens, spectral image analysis
may be used to determine the seed coat opening, radicle indication,
root growth indication, hypocotytl indication, cotyledon
indication, epicotyl indication, leaf indication, apical meristem
indication, withered cotyledon indication, any indication of growth
between imbibition and plant development, branching of roots,
shedding of the seed coat, unfolding of the leaves (0-180.degree.
angle of openness of cotyledons in relation to the growing surface)
of a single germinated seed, and any parts thereof.
II. Specific Characteristic Example 2: Germination
[0120] As discussed herein, germination testing is commonly
conducted to determine seed quality. Germination includes the
emergence and development from the seed embryo of those essential
structures, which, for the kinds of seed in question, are
indicative of the ability to produce a normal plant under favorable
conditions. Other definitions of germination are also included in
the present embodiments. Germination test results establish the
maximum plant producing potential of seed groups and correlate
quite well with emergence under favorable field conditions.
[0121] Presently, the germination test is the principal and
accepted criterion for determining seed viability. The test results
are typically obtained from seeds which have been placed under
favorable germination conditions. Essentially, germination tests
are made on artificial, standardized, essentially sterile media, in
humidified, temperature controlled germinators for periods
sufficiently long to permit seeds including "weak" seeds to
germinate.
[0122] a. Germination, Monitoring and Determination by Measuring
Metabolic Rate Changes
[0123] An example of monitoring and determining for metabolic
activity is described below. The extent to which germination has
progressed can be determined roughly by measuring the metabolic
activity of an organism usually done by testing for water uptake or
respiration. The present disclosure is designed to include other
tests for measuring the underlying metabolic activity of an
organism. Other tests measure oxygen or other metabolic gasses in
liquid or gas media. When measuring gases in liquid, gas contents
are often measured by flushing some liquid through an
electro-chemical measurement device. Whereas, when measuring a gas
media, the analysis is done with gas-chromatography.
[0124] To help maintain the integrity of the test, confined
containers are used when measuring gases. It is appreciated by one
of ordinary skill in the art that many types of probes or markers
can be used to test for germination or any other specific seed
characteristic. Other probes used for testing germination include
testing for other gases; liquids; fluorescence; chemoluminescence;
enzyme activity; breakdown of seed storage materials; sugar
measuring; cellular breakdown; other metabolic testing; uptake or
release of metabolic gasses, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide,
nitric oxide, nitric dioxide, dinitric oxide, ethylene and ethanol;
and flushing some liquid through an electrochemical measurement
device.
[0125] One example of testing for oxygen consumption includes
placing a seed in a container and inducing germination by adding
water. The seed will start to consume oxygen and produce
carbon-dioxide. An optical method can be used to test the oxygen
levels in the container. Oxygen testing based on fluorescence
quenching of fluorescent compounds by oxygen can be used to
determine the oxygen levels inside a container and continuous
subsequent tests can be taken to generate the raw data used in
producing the oxygen consumption curves as is shown in FIGS.
6-9.
[0126] Oxygen sensitive dyes include dyes such as a ruthenium
bipyridyl complex, or Tris-Ru.sup.2+4,7biphenyl1,10phenantrolin; or
another Ru(ruthenium)-complex, or another organo-metal complex,
such as an Os-complex. Other gases such as carbon-dioxide may be
measured by using a Pt-complex. Other gasses such as CO, NO,
NO.sub.2, N.sub.2O, ethylene or ethanol, can be measured using
suitable sensitive organo-metal dyes, such as
tris[2-(2-pyrazinyl)thiazole]ruthenium II (5).
[0127] Other oxygen sensing techniques measure for oxygen using
fluorescence quenching of a metal organic fluorescent dye. The dye
is excited by a laser pulse. Then the dye emits a fluorescent light
which has a decay curve that is used to determine the oxygen
concentration in the container. The process behind this phenomenon
is called dynamic quenching.
[0128] Other methods of measuring oxygen concentration can be done
by measuring the fluorescence lifetime along with the Stern Volmer
equation (1) .tau.o/.tau.=1+C.sub.SV*[O.sub.2], where .tau.o is the
fluorescence lifetime at quencher (O.sub.2) concentration zero,
.tau. is the fluorescence lifetime at a specific quencher (O.sub.2)
concentration. C.sub.SV is the Stern-Volmer constant and [O.sub.2]
is the gas concentration.
[0129] Another way to measure for oxygen concentration is by
measuring the fluorescence intensity. To measure fluorescence
intensity a fluorescent compound is excited by a continuously
radiating light source and then the fluorescence intensity is
measured. The more oxygen present the less fluorescence. The
relation between the oxygen concentration and the intensity is
given by the Stern Volmer equation (2)
2I.sub.0I=1+C.sub.SV*[O.sub.2], where I.sub.0 is the fluorescence
intensity at quencher (O.sub.2) concentration zero, I is the
fluorescence intensity at a specific quencher (O.sub.2)
concentration. C.sub.SV is the Stern-Volmer constant and [O.sub.2]
is the gas concentration.
III. Specific Characteristic Example 3: Other Characteristics and
Their Tests
[0130] Other specific seed characteristics and their associated
tests though not discussed herein may also be used with this
disclosure. Further, multiple tests or probes may be used to test
for any specific characteristic or combination of
characteristics.
IV. Specific Characteristic Example 4: Specific Characteristic is
to Obtain a Certain Stage of Development or Rate of Development of
the Specific Characteristic
[0131] Method 40 as shown in FIG. 4 describes testing a seed for a
specific characteristic (block 45) and stopping the subjection of
the seed to growth when a specific development rate is achieved
(block 46). For example, determining whether a seed will germinate
is a specific characteristic for which early indication is
beneficial. A seed can be tested for early germination indications.
When the seed shows an indication of early germination, that seed
can be stopped from further growth (block 46) and can be preserved
or dried at that state (block 48). Thus, the group of seeds will
contain seeds that were determined to have reached a specific stage
or rate of development toward the specific characteristic, such as
germination.
[0132] For example, as discussed herein, the individual seeds that
indicated a change of slope value of .0088 over four hours (rate of
development) were determined to be live and likely to germinate. It
may be that there is a better comparator or requirement that can be
made in generating a group of seeds with the specific
characteristic of early germination by being able to determine
germination sooner. Also, it may be beneficial to have the seeds
for sorting reach a certain stage of germination or rate of
germination, or any other specific characteristic, prior to
separating.
[0133] Below is a description of the stages of germination that can
be monitored. The rates of development toward those stages or
toward the sought after specific characteristic can also be
monitored. After a seed reaches a particular stage or rate, then
the seed may be stopped from further growth or slowed from further
growth, and preserved by growth inhibitors and/or regulators, such
as drying, lowering temperatures, or administering growth
regulators. (blocks 46, 48). The preserved seed may be separated
into a group of seeds (block 26) and then a portion or the entire
group may be transferred to a package for commercial use or sale.
Alternatively, if the seed is determined to not have the specific
characteristic, the seed is separated out (block 28).
[0134] For instance, stages or rates of germination can be
determined by monitoring for particular gas consumption or
production patterns, such as oxygen consumption and/or carbon
dioxide production. For example, oxygen consumption is considered
to involve at least a couple of stages. At the onset of germination
there is a sharp increase in oxygen consumption and respiration
increases linearly. During the second stage of germination, oxygen
consumption stabilizes and slows.
[0135] Other tests can be used to determine the following stages of
germination and their corresponding rates. Phase one of germination
is called Activation. Imbibition of water initiates phase one.
Thereafter, activation or the synthesis of enzymes occurs. The
breaking down of storage material within the seed is aided by these
enzymes. The seed's storage material is broken down into simpler
compounds such as sugar which is utilized by the seed embryo for
germination. During respiration other enzymes are activated that
start to break down sugars to produce energy needed by the
developing seedling for growth. At the end of phase one, cell
elongation and radicle emergence occur.
[0136] Phase two of germination is digestion and translocation.
During this phase, enzymes that were activated or synthesized begin
to break down storage material into simpler compounds. These
compounds are then translocated to the plumate (embryo axis) and
the radicle (root). The plumate grows and develops as cells
elongate and divide.
[0137] Phase three of germination is seedling growth. Seedling
growth can be of two types, epigeous germination or hypogeous
germination. The position of the cotyledons determines the growth
classification. Beans and other legumes are examples of epigeous
(Latin meaning above or beyond) germination where the cotyledons
are pushed above the soil surface. Whereas, in hypogeous (Latin
meaning under) germination the cotyledons and most of the seed
remain underground with the shoot only emerging from the soil
surface.
[0138] Accordingly, tests designed to indicate specific stages as
identified above can be used with the disclosure towards sorting a
seed, or can be used in determining any other specific
characteristic. For example, other types of tests for determining
which of the monitored seeds has the specific characteristic, such
as early germination or a specific stage in germination can be
determined by use of a genetic algorithm, statistical analysis,
regression techniques, fuzzy logic routines.
[0139] Another more detailed example of method 50 in FIG. 5 is
described below. Germination seeds/seedlings may be evaluated
individually using spectral image recognition software (blocks
52-58). Stage of development and time needed to reach a given stage
of development may be determined for each seedling. Seedlings which
have reached the same or similar stage or rate of development may
be individually harvested and physically grouped together in a
uniform sub-population. Once grouped, the sorted seedlings can be
delivered to a typical seedling growing tray in the greenhouse or
any other type of sorting or packaging for commercial use or
sale.
[0140] a. Determination of Stage of Development or Rate of
Development Based on Morphology
[0141] For example, seeds are sown individually into microtiter
well plates. These plates on the present system can range from the
industry standard 6 well to 96 well formats. It can also take
readings from plug flats. A separate lens can be used with the
imaging equipment to allow the equipment to handle 384 well plates,
if desired.
[0142] Standard flat bottom plates are used with a filter disc
placed at the bottom of each well to provide a moisture reservoir.
Between 2 and 10 uL of water is delivered into each well.
Individual seeds are then placed into the cell. Lids are attached
and then the plates are placed into a temperature controlled
incubator to allow for the germination and growth of the seeds into
seedlings. (blocks 21, 42).
[0143] Plates are then placed individually onto an imaging
platform. Plates could also be placed into a plate stacker for
successive delivery to the imaging platform.
[0144] A spectral image is captured from each well of the plate
(blocks 52, 54, 56). Using image analysis procedures and depending
on the developmental stage or rates of the seed/seedling, the
coordinates of the center of the seed, root, stem, leaves, and
blotter on the bottom of the well are recorded. Additional
recordings are also made of the area of splits in the seed coat
(exposed embryo), root lengths and areas, if root hairs are
present, stem length and area, and leaf length and area (blocks 58,
60), and any parts thereof.
[0145] Additional measurements typical of image analysis can also
be incorporated into the system such as the number of breaks from
the root, the angle of the leaves, or more generic size, shape, or
texture measurements.
[0146] Next the maximum height and the positional location of the
maximum height from the top of the blotter is determined for the
seed, roots, stem, and leaves (block 60). This height and
positional location is recorded giving the x, y and z locations for
points of interest (block 66). The height is determined, for
example, by using a non-contact laser distance device.
[0147] The system is capable of other measurements but in this
example is configured for the determination of the photosynthetic
activity of the growing seedling (block 62). This measurement is
determined at the highest point of the seedling structure in the
well.
[0148] From this, additional methods group the seedlings into
various stages or rates of development. As an example, seeds with
roots present but no larger than 2 mm in length can be targeted for
harvest (block 64). Any measured aspect of the seed, e.g. root,
stem, leaf or additional measurements such as the photosynthetic
activity can be used as a basis for selecting the wells to be
harvested (block 64).
V. Specific Characteristic Example 5: Specific Characteristic is to
Grow in a Particular Environment or Stress
[0149] As discussed herein, seed groupings or packages can be
produced for commercial use or sale based on which seeds are
determined to be more likely to grow or germinate in different
specific environments, including less than ideal environmental
conditions or environmental stresses. Test environments designed to
simulate the different environmental conditions and stresses can be
used to subject the seed, monitor the seed, determine, and separate
which individual seeds to use or to sell in a commercial grouping
classified as having the specific characteristic of growing in a
specific environment or capable of growing under a specific
environmental stress. The following are examples of the different
environments seeds can be subjected to, and information on how
these environments can be used in the processes of separating the
seeds and also in the processes of subjecting the seed to a
growth-inducing environment and/or environmental stress, monitoring
the seed for a development stage or rate of development associated
with the specific characteristic, and determining if the monitored
seed has met the comparator that is used to classify the seed as
having that specific characteristic, such as a seed able to grow in
cool climates. Environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen,
water, and light; and their effects on seed growth, rate of
development, or germination are discussed below.
[0150] a. Temperature Effects
[0151] With regard to temperature, plants can be classified
generally into four different groups. The first group is cool
temperature tolerant plants. Most plants native to temperate zones
are cool temperature tolerant plants. These seeds can germinate at
temperatures as low as 40.degree. F. (4.5.degree. C.) but perform
better at temperatures in the range of 77 to 86 degrees F.
(25-30.degree. C.).
[0152] The second group requires cool temperatures for seed
germination. Most of these seeds come from plants that originated
in the Mediterranean or similar climates. These climates usually
have cool moist winters and hot and dry summers. These seeds find
it favorable to germinate in the winter under the cooler moist
conditions. These plants have developed mechanisms that prevent
their germination when soil temperatures exceed 77 degrees F. (25
.degree. C.).
[0153] The third group requires warmer temperatures for seed
germination. These seeds generally require soil temperatures of
50-60.degree. F. (10-15.degree. C.). If placed in lower
temperatures these seeds usually show signs of chilling injury
which result in the seeds being chlorotic, slow growing, and having
disease problems. Cotton and corn are examples of warm temperature
requiring seeds.
[0154] The fourth type of plants require an alternating diurnal or
daily cycle of temperatures for seed germination. These seeds
require warm soil during the day and a radiant cooling of soil at
night. Seeds may be subject to any of these different temperature
effects. For example, a specific characteristic may be that the
seed is capable of growth under very low temperature levels.
[0155] Alternatively, seeds can be separated based on being
subjected, monitored, and determined as having the specific
characteristic that they meet the requirements of being able to
grow in less than ideal environmental conditions or stresses, for
example a seed that usually requires warmer temperatures but is
still capable of growing after being subjected to the stress of a
cooler temperature.
[0156] b. Oxygen Effects
[0157] The amount of concentration of oxygen available to the seed
affects its germination. Oxygen is required to fuel the metabolic
activities required during germination. Heavy soils have less
oxygen available to the seed. Clay soils or flooded conditions will
reduce the amount of oxygen available to a seed. Seeds may be
subject to any of these different oxygen effects. For example, a
specific characteristic may be that the seed is capable of growth
under very low oxygen levels.
[0158] c. Light Effects
[0159] Plants that require light in order for their seed to
germinate are called epiphytes. Many epiphytes have seeds that if
exposed to darkness for an extended period of time will have lost
viability or cease germination.
[0160] Light may also affect physiological dormancy. These types of
seeds are required to be near or on the soil surface to germinate.
Lettuce and conifers are such plants that need exposure to light to
germinate.
[0161] Other plants need darkness to germinate. As soil depth
increases so does darkness. Desert plants such as cacti are plants
adapted to germinate only in deep soil with darkness. This is
because the deeper the seed is within the desert soil the closer
the seed is to moisture necessary for survival.
[0162] Changes in daylight or photoperiod can also affect
germination. Usually woody temperate species require particular
daylight lengths for germination. Seeds may be subject to any of
these different lighting effects. For example, a specific
characteristic may be that the seed is capable of growth under very
low lighting levels.
[0163] b. Water Effects
[0164] Some seeds/plants require more water than others. Some seeds
may take in water too quickly and rot. Water uptake differs among
seeds. Environments differ as to how much water is available for
growth. Seeds may be subject to any of these different water
effects. For example, a specific characteristic may be that the
seed is capable of growth under very low water activity levels.
Specific Characteristic Example 6: Specific Characteristic is a
Particular Photosynthetic Activity
[0165] Once a seedling has developed leaves another type of
specific characteristic that can be monitored and determined is any
type of photosynthetic activity. Photosynthesis is the process by
which plants use their leaves to take in energy from sunlight to
produce sugar, which cellular respiration converts into adenosine
triphosphate (ATP), that is, the "fuel" used by the plant to grow.
The process of photosynthesis is a complex series of chemical
reactions that begins with carbon dioxide and water and ends with
carbohydrates such as glucose and starch. The metabolic activity of
plants enables the radiant energy of sunlight to be converted to
the energy found in the chemical bonds of carbohydrates.
Photosynthesis is a process during which many types of
physiological indicators can be measured. Chlorophyl is the
substance within seeds that is used to gather light or synthesize
light during photosynthesis. Measuring photosynthetic activity
and/or monitoring for a physiological indicator of a plant can be
used to indicate the germinated seed's growth rate, stress
tolerance, stage of development, and rate of development. For
example, a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) technique can be used
to measure when the chlorophyll becomes active and starts to gather
light.
[0166] A pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) technique as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,122, titled "Fluorescence Detection Assembly
for Determination of Significant Vegetation Parameters," issued on
Nov. 25, 2003, and which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety, is used to measure photosynthesis yield in plants. The
PAM technique applies pulse-modulated measuring light for selective
detection of chlorophyll fluorescence yield. The actual measurement
of the photosynthetic yield is carried out by application of a
saturating light pulse which briefly suppresses photochemical yield
to zero and induces maximal fluorescence yield. The given
photochemical yield is then calculated. There is a close
correlation between the determined yield parameter and the
effective quantum yield of photosynthesis in monitored leaves. The
PAM technique also provides the possibility of measuring
fluorescence quenching coefficients, applying continuous actinic
light for measurement of induction curves (Kautsky-effect), and
automatic recordings of light-saturation. These measurements are
used to describe the growth (development) stage or long term stress
conditions of plants.
VII. Generating the Comparator for Use with Respect to the Specific
Characteristic
[0167] Besides the different types of physiological and
morphometric indicators, specific characteristics, and associated
tests for monitoring the specific characteristics as discussed
herein, there are also described herein the different types of
methods that can be used in determining which of the monitored
seeds have the specific characteristic including use of a genetic
algorithm, statistical analysis, fuzzy logic, and regression
techniques. The specific characteristic can be determined based on
a specific comparator (value, range, or requirement). As discussed
above, a comparator may include the use of statistical analysis,
such as population statistics and any associated statistical
ranges. Also, a comparator may be a requirement which includes the
use of any general requirement, statement, script, or algorithm
which could be implemented by a computer in order to be able to
determine whether a specific characteristic is met.
[0168] As shown in FIGS. 6-9, from the plurality of the curves,
using a combination of hardware and software including tools such
as EXCEL.RTM. and EVOLVER.RTM., it was determined that if the slope
of the curve (signal strength over time) changed by more than .0088
over a four hour period, then the seed would be live and germinate.
Thus, the comparator, which may be used in the methods shown in
FIGS. 2-5 (blocks 24, 38, 45, 64), in this example is a curve
having a change of slope of more than .0088.
[0169] As discussed herein, FIG. 10 shows a table comparing the
herein described comparator to a human comparator. It is evident to
those of ordinary skill in the art that there are many types of
comparator procedures that can be used with the present disclosure.
The comparator may be generated and/or improved by use of
calibration, applying a genetic algorithm, taking into
consideration other specific characteristics, other comparators,
combining comparators, statistical analysis, multiple variant
regression techniques, correlation techniques, modeling, and fuzzy
logic. Data such as the data shown in FIG. 10 may also be used to
generate the comparator or other requirements for meeting the
specific characteristic.
VIII. Other Embodiments
[0170] The present disclosure also includes a system for producing
a group of seeds for commercial use or sale. FIG. 12 illustrates an
exemplary system 100 that includes: a monitoring unit 102
configured to monitor any combination of a development stage, a
physiological indication, and a morphometric indication for a seed;
a determination unit 104 configured to determine which of the
monitored seeds have a specific characteristic; and a separator
unit 106 configured to separate the monitored seed having the
specific characteristic; a transfer unit 108 configured to transfer
at least a portion of the separated seeds into a group for
commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the group has
been monitored and determined to have the specific
characteristic.
[0171] As shown in the system 200 of FIG. 13, another exemplary
system for producing a group of seeds for commercial use or sale
includes: a subjecting unit 202 configured to subject each and
every seed to a growth-inducing or germination-inducing
environment; a monitoring unit 204 configured to monitor the
subjected seed for a development indication of a specific
characteristic; a determining unit 206 configured to determine if
an achieved state is a positive indication of the specific
characteristic, for example the achieved state may include a
specific development rate toward a specific characteristic; a
stopping unit 208 configured to stop the subjected seed from
further growth when a state (i.e., rate of development) associated
with the specific characteristic is achieved; a preserving unit 210
configured to preserve the seed determined as having the positive
indication of the specific characteristic; a separator unit 212
configured to separate the seed determined as having the specific
characteristic; a transfer unit 214 configured to transfer at least
a portion of the separated seeds into a group for commercial use or
sale so that each and every seed in the group has been monitored
and determine to have the specific characteristic.
[0172] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show examples of embodiments of the
system for producing a group of seeds for commercial use or sale.
For example, the system may include an monitoring unit 102 which is
configured to monitor a seed using any of the methods and examples
listed herein and the different types of analysis that could be
used in monitoring and testing for a physiological indication or a
morphometric indication of seed development which would be
indicative of a specific characteristic. For example, the
monitoring unit 1102 may include a subjecting unit 202 for
subjecting a seed to any particular environment described herein
based on what specific characteristic is to be determined, or the
subjecting unit 202 may be independent of the monitoring unit 102.
Any of units 102-108 and 202-214, shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, can
be integral to the other units 102-108 and 202-214 which make up
the system or can be functioning independently with or without
coupling means 120, 122, 220, 222. For example, the communication
network 130 and 230 may include a process controller, or low level
communications such as analog control signals, or a distributed
networking environment such as one which has multiple processors
working together to coordinate some or all of the unit
functionalities, or some combination of these networks 130 and 230
and their coupling means 120, 122, 220, 222 in order to produce the
group of seeds with the steps described in the embodiments
disclosed herein. Also, coupling means 120, 122, 220, 222 may be in
the form of a conveyor belt, pipe, conduit, vacuum tube, or and
transport device or combination of such that moves a seed 1122 from
one area of the system to another so that the system units
1102-1108 and 1202-1214 can accomplish their functions with respect
to the seed 142. Also, the coupling means 120, 122, 220, 222 may be
electrical, mechanical, vacuum, and robotic equipment capable of
moving with respect to the seed's location. Further, the individual
seeds 142-148 may be run simultaneously or sequentially through any
of the individual units 102-108 and 202-214 of the system.
[0173] The state monitoring unit 204 of FIG. 13 is capable of
monitoring for all the stages associated with any of the specific
characteristics described herein. Separator unit 106 and 212 and
transfer unit 108 and 214 of FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 correspond to any
of the possible devices capable of separating a seed out from its
test environment, such as by use of any electrical, mechanical,
hydraulic, magnetic, vacuum device or combination thereof.
Likewise, the stopping unit 208 of FIG. 13 is capable of stopping
the subjecting unit 202 from further subjecting the seed 142 at any
state (or rate of development) toward development of a desired
specific characteristic as may be detected by the state monitoring
unit 204. Further, the preservation or preserving unit 210 may be
used to preserve or dry the seed 142 so that the seed can remain in
the desired state toward the desired specific characteristic. Units
102-108 and 202-214 may all be included in the system or may be
separated or combined into further delineated units as required by
the method the system uses corresponding to any of the herein
described tests used in the production of the package of seeds
where each seed has been monitored and determined to have the
specific characteristic.
[0174] As is clear to one of ordinary skill in the art the herein
example embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not
limiting.
[0175] In order to implement the systems 100 and 102 described in
FIGS. 11 and 12, the network system 300 and computer system 400 may
be used. FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of a data network 300
including a first group of facilities or entities 305 operatively
coupled to a network computer 310 via a network 315. The entities
305 may be physically co-located or geographically disparate. The
plurality of entities 305 may be located, by way of example rather
than limitation, in separate geographic locations from each other,
in different areas of the same city, or in different states.
Generally, the entities 305 may represent any of the different
types of entities that may be involved in monitoring a
physiological indication of a seed; automatically determining if
the monitored seed has a specific characteristic; separating the
monitored seeds having the specific characteristic; transferring at
least a portion of a plurality of separated seeds into a group for
commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the group has
been monitored and determined to have the specific characteristic;
subjecting a seed to a growth-inducing or germination-inducing
environment; monitoring the subjected seed for a physiological or
morphometric indication or any other development indication of a
specific characteristic; stopping subjecting the seed to
growth-inducing environment when a state associated with the
specific characteristic is achieved; determining if the achieved
state is a positive indication of the specific characteristic;
preserving the seed determined as having the positive indication;
monitoring the indication of the specific characteristic for each
and every seed in a first group of seeds from the group of seeds;
and generating a result-based comparator, based on a result of the
first group analysis, to use in determining if the achieved state
is the positive indication of the specific characteristic. For
example, the entities 305 may represent a monitoring unit; a
determination unit; a monitoring unit; a subjecting unit; a
determining unit; a stopping unit; a first monitoring unit; a
result-based comparator generator; a preserving unit; or a transfer
unit. Any of the entities 305 may also be an intermediary between
an monitoring unit; a determination unit; a separator unit; a
monitoring unit; a subjecting unit; a determining unit; a stopping
unit; a first monitoring unit; a result-based comparator generator;
a preserving unit; a transfer unit, and any of the other entities
305 described herein.
[0176] The network 315 may be provided using a wide variety of
techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art for the
transfer of electronic data. For example, the network 315 may
comprise dedicated access lines, plain ordinary telephone lines,
satellite links, combinations of these. Additionally, the network
315 may include a plurality of network computers or server
computers (not shown), each of which may be operatively
interconnected in a known manner. Where the network 315 comprises
the Internet, data communication may take place over the network
315 via an Internet communication protocol.
[0177] The network computer 310 may be a personal computer or a
server computer of the type commonly employed in networking
solutions. The network computer 310 may be used by an entity 305 to
monitoring a physiological and/or morphometric indication of a
seed; automatically determining if the monitored seed has a
specific characteristic; separating the monitored seed having the
specific characteristic into a group for commercial use or sale so
that each and every seed in the package has been monitored and
determined to have the specific characteristic; subjecting each and
every seed in a group of seeds to a growth-inducing or
germination-inducing environment; monitoring the subjected seed for
a indication of a specific characteristic; stopping subjecting the
seed from more subjecting of the growth-inducing or
germination-inducing environment when a state associated with the
specific characteristic is achieved; determining if the achieved
state is a positive indication of the specific characteristic;
preserving the seed determined as having the positive indication;
monitoring the indication of the specific characteristic for each
and every seed in a first group of seeds from the group of seeds;
and generating a result-based comparator, based on a result of the
first group analysis, to use in determining if the achieved state
is the positive indication of the specific metabolic
characteristic.
[0178] For example, the network computer 310 may periodically
receive data from each of the entities 305 indicative of
information pertaining to seed test data, specific seed
characteristic data; seed sorting request data, seed sorting
process plant data, seed environment data, result-based comparator
data. A process plant module, control module, statistical module,
business module, management module, production module, monitor
module; determination module; separator module; monitoring module;
a subjecting module; a determining module; a stopping module; a
separator module; first monitor module; result-based comparator
generator module; preserving module; transfer module, or other
entity may use the network computer 310 to access and view
information served from other network computers or servers 320 at
the entities 305. For example, as a client/server model, the
entities 305 may include one or more servers 320 that may be
utilized to store any of the information described herein and to
serve the information to a network computer 310 acting as the
client.
[0179] In one embodiment, the network computer 310 or any of the
entities 305 includes an interface to a seed grouping modeling and
analysis system and a seed grouping records management system at an
entity 305. For example, the network computer 310 may be connected
to a seed grouping modeling and analysis system and any suitable
seed grouping records management system, or any other type of
distributed system that may be used to implement a system for
commercially selling a plurality of seeds. From a network computer
310, an operator of the system or other business, maintenance,
managerial operator, or other entity 305 may log into a seed
grouping records system that is communicatively coupled to a server
320 within an entity 305.
[0180] Although the data network 300 is shown to include one
network computer 310 and three entities 305, it should be
understood that different numbers of computers and entities may be
utilized. For example, the network 300 may include a plurality of
network computers 310 and dozens of entities 305, all of which may
be interconnected via the network 315. According to the disclosed
example, this configuration may provide several advantages, such
as, for example, enabling nearly real time uploads and downloads of
information as well as periodic uploads and downloads of
information. This provides for a primary backup of all the
information generated in the process of implementing a system for
commercially selling a plurality of seeds.
[0181] The computer 310 may be connected to a network, including
local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), portions of
the Internet such as a private Internet, a secure Internet, a
value-added network, or a virtual private network. Suitable network
computers 310 may also include personal computers, laptops,
workstations, disconnectable mobile computers, mainframes,
information appliances, personal digital assistants, and other
handheld and/or embedded processing systems. The signal lines that
support communications links to a computer 310 may include twisted
pair, coaxial, or optical fiber cables, telephone lines,
satellites, microwave relays, modulated AC power lines, and other
data transmission "wires" known to those of skill in the art.
Further, signals may be transferred wirelessly through a wireless
network or wireless LAN (WLAN) using any suitable wireless
transmission protocol, such as the IEEE series of 802.x standards.
Although particular individual and network computer systems and
components are shown, those of skill in the art will appreciate
that the present invention also works with a variety of other
networks and computers.
[0182] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of one possible embodiment of
the network computer 310 shown in FIG. 14. The network computer 310
may have a controller 400 that is operatively connected to a
database 405 via a link 410. It should be noted that, while not
shown, additional databases may be linked to the controller 400 in
a known manner. The controller 400 may include a program memory
415, a processor 420 (may be called a microcontroller or a
microprocessor) for executing computer executable instructions, a
random-access memory (RAM) 425 for temporarily storing data related
to the computer executable instructions, and an input/output (I/O)
circuit 430 for accepting and communicating the computer executable
instructions, data for producing results with the computer
executable instructions that are executed on the processor 420, and
the results of any executed computer executable instructions. In
one embodiment, the program memory 415 includes a seed
classification 440 to implement one or more methods for producing a
plurality of seeds for commercial use or sale, as described below
in relation to FIGS. 2-5 and 12-15. In another embodiment (not
shown) the seed classification module 440 may be a
separately-implemented IC. The seed classification module may also
include a plurality of modules to implement one or more methods,
for example, an monitor module 442a; a determination module 442b; a
separator module 442c; a monitoring module 442d; a subjecting
module 442e; a determining module 442f; a stopping module 442g; a
separator module 442h; a first monitor module 442i; a result-based
comparator generator module 442j; a preserving module 442k; a
transfer module 442l. The seed classification module 440, and the
plurality of associated modules are discussed below in relation to
FIGS. 2-5 and 12-15. Of course, many other implementations of the
seed classification module 440 are possible.
[0183] The program memory 415, processor 420, and RAM may be
interconnected via an address/data bus 432. It should be
appreciated that although only one processor 420 is shown, the
controller 400 may include multiple processors 420. Similarly, the
memory of the controller 400 may include multiple RAMs 425 and
multiple program memories 415. Although the I/O circuit 430 is
shown as a single block, the I/O circuit 430 may include a number
of different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s) 425 and program
memories 415 may be implemented as semiconductor memories,
magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories,
for example. The controller 400 may also be operatively connected
to the network 315 (FIG. 14) via a link 435.
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